Awards 2008 for the investment in Europe
Every year the World Investment Conference presen s awards for both the best investment and the most dynamic European investment promotion agency. In 2008, these two prizes have been combined to form a single award in recognition of the fact that outstanding investments do not materialize without effective support from a well-organized development agency.
Our 2008 awards honoured three international investors and three European development agencies (regional and national) for projects leveraging innovation and favouring job creation. A special prize was awarded for an investment on the southern shores of the Mediterranean.
Best High-Tech Investment Award
Sony and Invest in Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency have
received the Best High-Tech Investment Award for two projects developed in Nitra,
Slovakia in the past two years of over 100 million euros, which have created more
than 3,000 jobs in the region.
This Prize has been awarded to Serge Foucher, Executive VP of Sony Europe GmbH and Peter Hajas, CEO of Invest in Slova Investment and Trade Development Agency.
Best Knowledge Management Investment Award
Saint-Edwards University and the French West Atlantic Agency have received the
Best Knowledge Management Award for the setting up of the university’s European
campus in Angers, France. This project is committed to helping students demonstrate
knowledge of politics, economics, culture and communication through a global
framework and to participate in international experiences. This is the second American
University to set up a campus in France.
This Prize has been awarded to Professor George E. Martin, President of Saint-
Edwards University, Texas and Jean-Luc Firmin, CEO of West Atlantic.
Best Clean Technologies Investment Award
Solfocus and Interes, Invest in Spain have been distinguished for the development of
solar plant in Puertollano in Spain, creating several hundreds of new jobs and
investing over 50 million dollars. This significant investment is a direct result of the
Solfocus’ participation in the 1st California Technology Showcase.
This Prize has been awarded to Gary Conley, CEO of Solfocus and Begona Cristeto, CEO of Interes, Invest in Spain.
This year’s Special Investment Prize has recognized BT Global Services and theHungarian Investment and Trade Agency for the setting up of BT’s Regional Knowledge
and Delivery Centre, thus creating 600 new jobs in Budapest and Debrecen. This 31.4 million
euros project will make BT become one of the most significant employees in the region.
This Prize has been awarded to François Barrault, CEO of BT Global Services and György Retfalvi, CEO of Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency.
The Best Mediterranean Investment Award has been attributed to Valeo and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) for a transmission and internal control project
developed in Ben Arous and Jedaïda, which has created more than 1,000 jobs and encouraged
the exchange of best practices in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
This Prize has been awarded to Thierry Morin, CEO of Valeo and the Foreign Investment
Promotion Agency (FIPA).
3rd European Attractiveness Awards 2007 – Best practice in promotion
In 2007, the jury has selected three major international businesses :
Aker Yards, TDF and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for their outstanding investments in Europe.
Click here to see the 2007 results
Awards for best foreign investment in Europe 2007
Each year, the LA BAULE conference honours the best investments in Europe. In 2006, the jury has selected three major international businesses : BT, Toshiba and Xerox for their outstanding investments in Europe.
Click here to see the 2007 results
