F E AT U RE of investment worldwide in 2018 the sixth according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Investments registered last year topped 39,925 million, with Madrid receiving more than 85 per cent, and 57 per cent since 2013, according to the Investment Registry. Antonio Gonzalez, of AGS Mudanzas Internacionales, says: This means a large number of expats are coming to Spain and Spaniards who once left the country are returning. In January 2019, the Madrid Municipal Census recorded more than 462,000 foreigners living in the city, an increase of 25,700 compared with July 2018. With this perspective, we believe there is potentially a positive market for the future of international removals from, or to, Madrid, says Gil Stauffers lvaro. Global Corporate Relocations Rosemeyer adds that Spain is now the second most popular country for tourism in the world, after France. In Madrid, we are seeing a huge recovery in building outside the city, and Madrid is expanding vastly, he says. Many of my visitors say: Spain will be a great place once its finished. But there seems to be no end to the building and expansion of Madrid. At AGS Mudanzas Internacionales, Gonzalez wants to see more international investment, which he believes - ultimately will lead toanincrease in the number of companies that decide tosettle in Madrid. Another way to improve business forthe movingcompanies, he adds, would be to improveand strengthen the international agreements already in place. For Gil Stauffer, the answer is simple. The most beneficial thing that the government could do is lower taxes and eliminate barriers to facilitate the execution of removal services freely, says Charo lvaro. UNEXPECTED SIDES TO MADRID Whatever the business outlook, those who come to live in Madrid can enjoy many different aspects of the city not all of them what one might expect of Spain. While the city has earned popularity for its old quarter tapas route, where tourists go from bar to bar tasting a dish in each, Rosemeyer, at Global Corporate Relocations, says: What surprises most people is that just 40 minutes outside the city centre, there is a ski resort in Navacerrada, with great winter sports facilities. AGSs Antonio Gonzalez adds: The traditional side of Madrid is still present, but it has steadily become a more multicultural and modern city, with an international environment that will surprise the visitor with its lively and contemporary atmosphere. JAIME ALBERTOS GONZLEZ, INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER AT MUDANZAS LA VASCONGADA S.L. FIDI AFFILIATES IN MADRID AGS MUDANZAS INTERNACIONALES ESPANA DLF INTERNATIONAL MOVERS FLIPPERS INTERNATIONAL S.L. GIL STAUFFER GLOBAL CORPORATE RELOCATIONS HASENKAMP SPAIN MUDANZAS LA VASCONGADA S.L. SANTA FE RELOCATION SIT TRANSPORTES FLUITERS INTERNACIONAL MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE AFFILIATE GOLD STANDARD RELOCATIONS RIGHT ACROSS AFRICA INCLUDING EGYPT We are the African coast-to-coast network forged from 25 years of thorough local knowledge. We communicate at dazzling speed and our gold standard service is provided through an entirely non-aligned, wholly owned network. Kampala Care and Prudence Across 17 African Nations. FIDI Affiliate Office: Kampala worldwidemoversafrica.com 88 FF291JunJul19 pp82-89 City on the Move Madrid.indd 88 WWW. F I D I . OR G 10/05/2019 16:56