The magazine runs this competition for European Cities in every two years, searching for the „European Cities and Regions of the Future". It aims at focusing the most attractive cities and regions in the field of development policy. It was the second occasion Miskolc submitted its application for the competition.

 Among 99 Central and Eastern European cities and regions Miskolc achieved the 4th position in the category of promotion strategy on the basis of the judgment of an independent international judging panel. Miskolc was also ranked to the 4th place among the cities having a population of less than 250,000 called micro cities.

 The ranking is important because it is the second time when Miskolc has performed successfully in the fDi Magazine's competition and the result can be evaluated as a compass by the investors.

 Sándor Káli, Mayor of Miskolc and Dr. Gyula Halmai, President-CEO of Miskolc Holding Plc. regard these positions as a positive feedback which means the investment strategy of the city and the planned development projects make Miskolc attractive and a competitive site for investment in European relation.

 Judging criteria:

 § economic potential § cost effectiveness § human resources § quality of life § investment friendly infrastructure § business friendliness

 The cities and regions submitted details about their promotion strategy and this was judged and scored by the independent judging panel of the Financial Times Magazine on the basis of the following standpoints:

 § Number of staff dedicated to promoting and facilitating inward investment and programmes in place to train staff and measure performance § Key initiatives under way to attract more investment § High-growth sectors in the city which offers excellent potential for inward investment § Incentives available to inward investors and the typical size of incentives § Major infrastructure and urban planning projects