This website and its entire content, including texts, images, sound and any other material (such as files, trademarks, logos and colour combinations), its structure and design, the choice of content and form in which it is presented herein, and the computer programs required to operate, access and use the website, are protected by the industrial and intellectual property rights of the Centre for Innovation and Business Development (CIDEM) or those of third parties that have authorised CIDEM to use said content.

All rights reserved. All access to this website is subject to the following terms and conditions: Temporary storage and reproduction of any content on the website for personal, non-commercial use is hereby authorized. Reproduction, permanent storage or dissemination of any content on the website, or any other usage for public or commercial purposes, is hereby expressly prohibited unless previously authorised in writing by CIDEM.

It is prohibited to modify the website or any of its content.

Any data provided on this website with respect to the Catalan Government shall not substitute the legal announcements of laws, general provisions and acts that are formally published in the Official Gazette of the Autonomous Catalan Government (DOGC) and other official gazettes, the printed version of which is the sole instrument bearing witness to their authenticity and content.

CIDEM shall not be liable for any information obtained through links to external systems that are not dependent on CIDEM.

CIDEM disclaims any liability to parties visiting its website. CIDEM cannot guarantee that its website and server are virus-free and shall not be held liable for any damage caused by accessing the website or for any delays in accessing it. The website and its content are therefore not covered by any type of explicit or implicit guarantee, and it is hereby stated that neither CIDEM nor its collaborators, employees or representatives shall be held liable for any errors or omissions in terms of content or service, or for any damage deriving from the use of this website or from any action taken based on the data provided herein.

In accordance with Organic Act 15 of 13 December 1999 on personal data protection and other applicable legislation, CIDEM hereby notifies all users of its website, and any third parties providing their personal data, that said data will be included on a database and may be used to supply information on activities and services.

All third parties who provide CIDEM with personal data have the right to access, modify, delete or challenge said data. Said rights may be exercised by sending a letter to CIDEM's registered office or an e-mail to info@cidem.gencat.net.

CIDEM hereby undertakes to respect the privacy of all data on its database in accordance with the applicable legislation.

CIDEM hereby reserves the right to modify its policies with respect to the protection of personal data in accordance with any changes in the applicable legislation. Any such modifications shall be published on the websites www.cidem.com and www.catalonia.com, which are accessible to the general public.

General information
Centre for Innovation and Business Development (CIDEM), with registered office at Passeig de Gràcia, No. 129, Barcelona. Telephone: (+34) 93 476 72 00; fax: (+34) 93 476 72 14 (information on services) and 93 476 73 00 (for administrative information); and e-mail: info@cidem.gencat.net

Fiscal identification number (VAT number)
Q-5855021-A

Code of behaviour
Revised text of the law by means of which the Centre for Innovation and Business Development (CIDEM) was created:
Act 5 of 16 April 1985 on the creation of the Centre for Information and Business Development.
And the following laws and decrees affecting it:
Act 20 of 29 December 1990 on the Government of Catalonia's budget for 1991.
Act 9 of 3 May 1991 on the Catalan Energy Institute.
Act 16 of 28 December 1993 on the Government of Catalonia's budget for 1994.
Decree 184 of 7 June 1996 on the extinction, creation and reorganisation of administrative departments of the Government of Catalonia.
Act 7 of 19 June 2000, modifying Act 5 of 16 April 1985.
Decree 50 of 6 February 2001, modifying the Governing Boards and the procedure for meetings of the Centre for Business Innovation and the General Testing and Research Laboratory. 
Decree 253 of 4 November 2002, creating and reorganising different government departments, modifying government committees and their composition and determining the number of administrative departments into which the Government of Catalonia is divided.
Act 31 of 30 December 2002 on tax and administrative measures.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT OF CATALONIA
Let it be known by all citizens that the Parliament of Catalonia has passed and I, on behalf of the King and under Article 33.2 of the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia (Estatut d'Autonomia), hereby promulgate the following

ACT
Industry in Catalonia is characterised by small and medium-sized transforming companies, which can easily adapt to the effects of rapid development and technological change thanks to their traditional dynamic and resourceful nature and their emblematic business drive, technical capabilities and highly qualified workers. However, further action is still necessary in terms of promotion and service, because the economic crisis has revealed significant deficiencies which can be attributed to uncompetitive production systems structured within a highly protectionist market.
Industry in Catalonia therefore needs to become more competitive, because it is operating within an increasingly interrelated context that is becoming more open to international competition. The challenge this raises fundamentally involves modernising Catalan industry by raising the technological level of traditional production structures, encouraging occupational training in new technologies and decisively promoting research in the field of new technologies, while at the same time providing support for the creation of new industries.
When taking up this challenge, we must consider the important role service companies play in industry. As suppliers of tertiary activities, they provide industry with the flexibility and speed demanded in this day and age. There is already an efficient network of service companies in Catalonia, but it needs strengthening. With this in mind, the Government of Catalonia has included the means and tools with which to achieve this within the framework of its industrial policies. Decree 448 of 10 December 1981 was therefore promulgated, creating the Subdirectorate General for Business Development with the aim of promoting action for industrial progress, increasing productivity and improving technology. Now, based on our subsequent experience, we understand that stronger action needs to be taken along the same lines, while broadening the scope and range of implementation. New action should therefore be developed and further services offered to improve and rationalise existing industrial structures; promote the development of new businesses, including participation in venture-capital operations; encourage collaboration with the bodies that provide services to industry, to help reinforce existing businesses and create new ones; and, in general, to promote all activities that contribute towards improving the future competitiveness of Catalan industry, without excluding the possibility of making proposals for the creation of new public and private industrial activities.
It is for this reason that the Centre for Innovation and Business Development (CIDEM) is hereby created, attached to the Department of Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism, and conferred with functional flexibility and dynamic management to enable it to achieve its objectives effectively. One of CIDEM's fundamental goals is to improve the competitiveness of the Catalan business community by promoting technological innovation and through participation in new financing instruments for companies with a high technological content.

Chapter 1. Nature and functions

Article 1

1. The Centre for Innovation and Business Development (CIDEM) is hereby created. It is a public entity, as provided for in Article 4.2 of the Public Finance Act of Catalonia.
2. CIDEM shall have its own legal personality and shall be attached to the Department of Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Government of Catalonia.
3. CIDEM shall be subject to private law in all its external legal relations except, where applicable, in the case of any exclusions set out by law that affect such entities.       

Article 2
CIDEM is hereby constituted with the following aims: promote industrial development in Catalonia with criteria of territorial rebalance; foster and stimulate industrial activity; provide companies with the necessary information and means to raise their technological level and competitiveness and increase productivity; and collaborate in training personnel.

Article 3

1. The functions of CIDEM are as follows:
   1. Develop programmes, including service management, aimed at improving technology, rationalising business and production structures and training management and middle-management staff and personnel in general.
   2. Encourage entrepreneurs to start up new companies and provide assistance for the development and, where necessary, streamlining of existing companies.
   3. Promote collaboration between industry and institutions and organisations for industrial and technological development, particularly between companies, universities and research centres.
   4. Participate in venture-capital operations and the creation of companies engaged in such operations by subscribing shares or participations representing share capital.
   5. Promote and carry out any other activity in favour of the development of industry and technology in Catalonia.
   6. Undertake, develop and coordinate any programmes and actions entrusted to it by the Department of Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism.
   7. Oversee the coordination of the functions of all organisations and bodies whose object is to promote industrial and technological development.
   8. Carry out structural and prospective studies of industrial sectors in Catalonia.
   9. Rationalise, harmonise and facilitate aid to industrial companies.
   10. Put forward proposals for the creation of new public and private industrial activities.
   11. Contribute to the dissemination of information on supranational economic organisations, especially those within the EEC.       
2. In the performance of its activities, CIDEM shall coordinate with the different organs of the Department of Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism, especially in terms of action taken by representatives of the Government of Catalonia in the organs set up to carry out restructuring and reindustrialisation plans.       

Article 4
In the performance of its functions, CIDEM may:

1. Enter into agreements with public and private bodies and organisations, particularly those which, by the nature of their activities, may contribute towards improving management.
2. Create mercantile companies and any other public or private profit-making or non-profit-making bodies, and participate in them with the aim of promoting industry and technology and boosting other industrial activities and services to industry. CIDEM's stake in said companies or bodies may not exceed forty-five per cent of the share capital, except when so expressly resolved by the Government of Catalonia and notified to the Parliament of Catalonia. Any companies in which CIDEM holds a majority participation shall be subject to the provisions of Act 4 of 29 March 1985 on the bye-laws of public enterprises in Catalonia. The maximum length of time that CIDEM may hold a stake in any general partnership or mercantile company not subject to Act 4/1985 shall be three years, extendable for a further period of three years. However, this time limit shall not be applicable when public bodies hold the majority of the share capital in any such companies.
3. Set up a territorial network of services and technical assistance for companies, to provide advisory services on all issues affecting them.       

Chapter 2. Governing organs
The Government of Catalonia may modify by decree the composition of the governing organs and the procedure for meetings set out in this chapter.

Article 5
The organs of CIDEM are its Governing Board, Executive Committee and its Manager.

Article 6
The Governing Board is made up of:

1. The Chairperson, who shall be the Catalan Government's Minister for Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism.
2. The Vice-Chairperson, who shall be appointed by the Chairperson from among the members of the Governing Board, at the proposal of the Board itself, and who shall assist the Chairperson in his/her functions and act as substitute in the event of the Chairperson's absence or inability to attend.
3. The Manager of CIDEM.
4. Six members in representation of the Department of Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism and three members in representation of the Administration of the Government of Catalonia, all of whom shall be appointed by the Government's Executive Council at the proposal of the Minister for Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism.
5. Two members in representation of business organisations, and two members in representation of the main industrial trade unions in Catalonia, at the proposal of the respective organisations.
6. One member in representation of the university world, one in representation of the Council of Catalan Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation and one in representation of professional associations. Said members shall be put forward by each of the aforementioned bodies and shall be professionals well-known for their fulfilment of the aims set out herein.       

Article 7

1. The functions of the Governing Board shall be as follows:
   1. Approve CIDEM's preliminary action, investment and financing programme.
   2. Approve CIDEM's preliminary budget and annual report.
   3. Monitor the implementation of CIDEM's action plan.       
2. The Governing Board shall meet at least once every six months.       

Article 8

1. The Executive Committee of CIDEM shall be made up of the following:
   1. The Chairperson, who shall be the Catalan Government's Minister for Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism.
   2. Four representatives of the Department of Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism: the Secretary General, the Director General for Industry, the Director General for Consumer Affairs and Industrial Safety and the Director General for Trade.
   3. Three members: two at the proposal of the Minister for Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism, and one at the proposal of the Minister for Universities, Research and the Information Society.
   4. The Manager of CIDEM.       
2. The Executive Committee shall appoint a secretary from among CIDEM's personnel, who shall attend meetings with voice but no vote.       

Article 9

1. The functions of the Executive Committee shall be as follows:
   1. Manage CIDEM's business within the framework of the Catalan Government's industrial policy.
   2. Prepare CIDEM's preliminary action, investment and financing programme.
   3. Approve the staff and the remuneration system.
   4. Authorise any agreements and contracts necessary for the fulfilment of CIDEM's aims and report to the Governing Board in this respect.
   5. In accordance with the directives approved by the Catalan Government's Executive Council, set the prices CIDEM should be paid for the services entrusted to it.
   6. Any other governmental or administrative function not attributed expressly to another organ of CIDEM.       
2. The Executive Committee may delegate specific functions to the Chairperson or the Manager.
3. The Executive Committee of CIDEM shall meet at least once every three months.       

Article 10
The Manager shall be appointed by the Executive Council at the proposal of the Minister for Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism and have the following functions:

1. Implement the resolutions of the Executive Committee.
2. Direct, coordinate, manage, inspect and control all branches, installations and services.
3. Manage the entire staff.
4. Perform the functions that the Executive Committee delegates to him/her.       

Article 11
Chapter II of Title I of the Administrative Procedures Act shall be complementary to the regulations ruling the Governing Board and Executive Committee of CIDEM.

Chapter 3. Financial and personnel systems
Article 12
CIDEM's financial resources shall be made up of the following:

1. Returns on the assets assigned to it and any assets and securities acquired in the performance of its functions.
2. Any endowments assigned to it in the budget of the Government of Catalonia.
3. Any income obtained from services rendered and through the studies and work carried out in the performance of its functions.
4. Any income derived from profits of companies in which it holds a stake, in accordance with Article 4 hereof.
5. Any subsidies, contributions or donations granted in its favour by public or private bodies or by individuals.
6. Any credits and loans granted to it.
7. Any other contributions attributed to it.
8. Any income deriving from and any surpluses produced by the sale of shares in public limited companies in which it holds a stake.      

Article 13
CIDEM staff shall be hired and their employment governed in accordance with the provisions of labour law.

Transitory provisions
First
In order to help start CIDEM up, Government of Catalonia personnel may be assigned to CIDEM, for a service charge, for a maximum period of three years.

Second

1. The budgetary credits indicated in the Catalan Government's Budget Act for 1985 and in the specific applications of Organic Act 13/06 of the Department of Industry and Energy shall be transformed into transfers to CIDEM; for current operations, those indicated in Chapters II and IV; for capital operations, that referred to in Chapters VI and VII; and for other capital operations, those indicated in Chapter VIII.
2. The Department of Economy and Finance is hereby authorised to carry out all necessary operations in compliance with the foregoing point.      

Final provisions
First
For any issues not provided for herein, the Catalan Public Finance Act shall apply, as shall, where applicable, general legislation on public bodies that are required to adapt their activity to private law.

Second
The Executive Council shall, at the proposal of the Minister for Labour, Industry, Trade and Tourism, set out the necessary provisions to develop this Act.

Third
This Act shall enter into force on the day after it is published in the Official Gazette of the Autonomous Catalan Government (DOGC).

I therefore order that all citizens to whom this law may apply cooperate in its fulfilment and that the corresponding courts of law and authorities ensure it is complied with.

Pascual Maragall
President of the Government of Catalonia