EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands, February 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Brainport Eindhoven has Europe's best investment climate after London and Helsinki

The investment climate in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) is the best in Europe after London and Helsinki. In the overall ranking of its Foreign Direct Investment Index (fDi index), the Financial Times ranks Eindhoven in third place. The heart of the high-tech Brainport region, is an excellent place to invest in the future according to the British financial authority. With its place in the top three, Eindhoven has made an unprecedented leap in the fDi rankings, which are closely followed by international investors. Never before has a Dutch city been so high on this list.

"We are obviously pleased with such a top result in a particularly authoritative study," says Rob van Gijzel, Mayor of Eindhoven. "This is confirmation that our approach in recent years has been the right one. Eindhoven has developed into a successful collaborative ecosystem in the area of high tech and design, where creativity and knowledge come together and reinforce each other. It is here that innovative solutions are devised for the challenges the world will face in the coming years. That makes us very attractive to investors, which is also the finding of the Financial Times."

Eindhoven's high ranking is undoubtedly due to the innovative economic policies employed by businesses, government and research institutions in the region over several years. The fDi index takes into account fDi strategy, infrastructure and economic potential. Brainport Eindhoven scores well in these areas, which have helped it grow into a strong economic engine with a positive effect on the rest of The Netherlands. Eindhoven is rooted in the progressive business climate of the province of Brabant, that is highly acclaimed because of the shared economic strategy. It is not surprising that this province now occupies prominent first place on the fDi ranking for regions with regard to fDi strategy.

Brainport Eindhoven is committed towards accelerating the growth of small promising start ups and developing the further growth of larger companies with global potential and ambition. Direct investment is also sought to fund the further expansion of public research institutes and large living labs.

Further information about the fDI rankings can be found at: http://www.fdiintelligence.com/

SOURCE Brainport Eindhoven