We always knew it was true but now it’s official.

Cork has been named the best small city in Europe for business friendliness by the Financial Times’ fDi magazine.

The magazine also ranked Cork as one of the overall top 25 European Cities of the Future 2018/19, coming in above global cities such as Copenhagen, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Zurich.

Published every two years, fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future presents a league table of the most attractive locations in Europe for inward investment.

In addition to scooping the award for business friendliness, and featuring in the overall top 25 European Cities of the Future, Cork was also included in the top ten small European cities for economic potential, top 10 small Northern cities and overall top 10 small cities.

The South West region was also ranked 8th in European small regions of the future.

European Cities and Regions of the Future are determined using data across 489 locations. The “small city” category covers cities with an immediate city population of 100,000 to 350,000.

“Cork’s inclusion in the rankings demonstrates its continued attractiveness for overseas investment.” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald.

“Cork is an established base for major global corporates. They are attracted by the talented and educated workforce, the value balance, competitive tax environment, superb quality of life, business-friendly and collaborative environment and the successful global brands already calling Cork home,” he said.