Introduction

The development of a region is directly related to its ability to attract value added investments, i.e., it depends intrinsically on the region’s internal competitiveness, on the ability to promote its potential externally and to respond to companies’ current demands, taking into account not only the conditions of the economic activity carried out, but also the quality of life in the region. AIDA – the Industrial Association of the District of Aveiro, together with AMRia – the Association of Ria Municipalities aims to develop and promote, within the scope of the Aveiro Digital Programme 2003-2006, a Georeferenced Support Information System for Investment and Development in the AMRia’s sphere of intervention - GeoInvest – Dinamização das Zonas Industriais de Nova Geração (GeoInvest – Dynamization of New Generation Industrial Zones) which: supports the identification of possible locations for New Generation Industrial Zones (ZINGs) through the creation of a model of analysis; assists companies in their localization and settlement procedures, namely related to licensing and acquisition of the industrial register; offers a set of services that support companies within the industrial zones and, more specifically, the new generation companies by means of a service centre – an online counter; promotes the region''s potential aiming to attract new generation companies. The aim of this project is to intervene in the development of new generation companies (in the areas of biotechnology, environment, renewable energies and ICT), by developing a model which establishes the conditions that guarantee the quality required for the settlement of such companies. The GeoInvest Marketing Project (Geo-MKT), through its workshops and seminars, is part of AIDA and AMRIA’s choice to mobilize and generate awareness toward this new strategy to attract high added-value investments. This project is also an essential tool in the promotion of the region’s potential.