Chicago Named Top Major City for Foreign Direct Investment Strategy

Recognized as Most Promising Investment Target in the Americas by fDi Magazine

For the first time, Chicago leads all major cities in the Americas for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy according to fDi Magazine’s The American Cities of the Future 2017/18. The bi-annual rankings feature the most promising inward investment locations in the Americas.

“Chicago is an international city and foreign investment is a key driver of our global economy,” Mayor Emanuel said. “With the help of World Business Chicago we have a robust international strategy that is generating record investment and strengthening Chicago’s position on the global stage, which creates economic opportunities for the entire city.”

Chicago’s global strategy centers on forging partnerships with the city’s international community, as well as key international constituents. Chicago is home to 80 consulates and honorary consulates, 100 international/ethnic chambers of commerce and international trade-based organizations, and more than 1,800 foreign-based companies representing over $100 billion in foreign direct investment.

In particular, the City of Chicago and WBC have created strategic partnerships with governments around the world to drive economic growth. Since Mayor Emanuel took office, four major agreements have been signed: the Gateway Cities Agreement with the Ministry of Commerce in China, the China Cities and U.S. Chicago Gateway Cities Business Accelerator Program, the Global Cities Economic Partnership between Chicago and Mexico City, and the Chicago-London City Data Alliance. Each unique partnership helps drive growth and recognition.

“fDi Magazine’s ranking is testament to our strong efforts in connecting with international markets,” said World Business Chicago President & CEO Jeff Malehorn. “Chicago’s established international business resources and global network helps us continue to build ties around the world in order to increase development and bring jobs to the city.”

The fDi Magazine ranking follows another leading recognition in FDI – the 2016 IBM Global Location Trends report, which ranked Chicago number one in foreign direct investment for four consecutive years. Chicago was the only North American metro area ranked in the top 20 cities in the world.

FDI Strategy is the only qualitative category of the American Cities of the Future rankings. The full rankings are:

1.    Chicago Illinois US
2.    New York New York US
3.    Montreal Quebec Canada
4.    Los Angeles California US
5.    Miami Florida US
6.    Bogotá Cundinamarca Colombia
7.    Cali Valle del Cauca Colombia
8.    São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
9.    Medellín Antioquia Colombia
10.   San Antonio Texas US

fDi Magazine is a bi-monthly specialist publication which reports on cross-border investment. The magazine is part of the fDi Intelligence division of the Financial Times. For more information on the rankings, click here.