English

INVEST IN MURCIA Introduction Murcia has been for the last fifteen years one of the most dynamic cities in Spain, witnessing significant advances in the economy and demographics. This strong expansionary process is the common denominator of those indicators that are analysed for any process for diagnosing the economy of Murcia, also determining many of the social, cultural, environmental, educational, healthcare, etc., fruits. It is an important service city in which the tertiary sector has replaced its previous status as an exporter par excellence, thanks to its celebrated and fertile orchard, due to which it is known as “the Orchard of Europe”. Among its most notable industries are food, textiles, chemicals, distillation and furniture manufacture, construction materials, glass and the largest fleet of industrial transport. Murcia is also an important centre with a great university tradition since the first university was founded in 1272. It is currently the seat of two universities, the public Universidad de Murcia and the private UCAM, which attract around 50,000 students to the municipality. Notable among its historical-artistic heritage is its celebrated Cathedral, with its Baroque façade and mainly Gothic interior, the famed Casino, with its sumptuous interiors; the dense sculptural heritage of Francisco Salzillo, and great set of Baroque buildings. In the cultural field it is known for its rich folklore, which is especially attractive for the Spring Fairs and the Holy Week processions, declared to be of International Tourist Interest. The Council of Good Men of the Orchard of Murcia, an example of a common law court of irrigators of the Spanish Mediterranean, was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Settlement and land The population is a strength and a crucial asset which has determined the socio-economic development of Murcia. In demographic terms, Murcia has many strengths: its enviable natural dynamism and its more rejuvenated age structure – in contrast with the decline of other Spanish and European cities – as well as the capacity to attract from outside or its ever-more cosmopolitan character. The challenge for the future is to improve this asset through training, socio-professional qualification and the integration of recent arrivals into all spheres. The urban pinnacle is represented by the fourteen urban municipalities with more than 25,000 inhabitants, which bring together almost 80% of the population of Murcia, notable among which is the city of Murcia, the seventh most-populous Spanish municipality. With the regions of the Mediterranean Arc, the city of Murcia has positioned itself as a notable service centre for its regional hinterland, where trade, business services, financial activities, transport and communications, medical services, cultural activities and as a reference point for universities. In the industrial sphere, the traditional exporting agricultural base has been complemented in recent decades with new activities which make up an industry which is ever more diversified and integrated into the service sector. Transport as a vector of development The important development of the transport infrastructures which has taken place in Murcia in recent years has been one of the main vectors of economic stimulus. Thus, thanks to the strong investment effort of the public administration, transport is no longer a limiting factor. In this way, Murcia not only has been able to overcome its historically peripheral status, but, moreover, it has been able to make the most of its resources and advantages derived from its strategic economic position in the Mediterranean Arc and promote the growth of its economic sectors. Our Region is that which has the most Kilometres of dual carriageways and motorways in the whole Spanish Region. Airports In a radius of 60 kilometres, Murcia has three airports: San Javier: The airport is located in the Mar Menor, 35 minutes from Murcia and 20 from Cartagena., El Altet (Alicante): This international airport, located 40 minutes from the cities of Murcia and Cartagena. Corvera: the new international airport of Murcia will being operating after spring /summer of this year 2013. Only 10 minutes from the centre of the city of Murcia. Rail Murcia is connected along the Mediterranean coast to the Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona and France line and towards the interior of the country with Madrid, where it links with all the national and international lines to Portugal and the rest of Europe. The Ave will be a reality in 2014. Road network At the national level, Murcia is well-connected with the main cities of Spain by dual carriageway: 3 hours to Madrid, 45 minutes to Alicante, 2 hours 30 mins to Valencia, 1 hour to Albacete and 2.30 hours to Granada