3 November 2007

Relevant Events

Catalonia has attracted some thirty R&D centers in the past two years, with an investment close to 70 million euros and the creation of more than 500 highly-qualified jobs. Companies such as Bayer Lego, Microsoft, Yahoo and IBM are just an example of multinationals companies establishing research, technology and innovation centers in the Catalan region, a move that could encourage local companies to use innovation as a business strategy.

The director of Strategic Programs of the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation, Xavier Testar, believes that the arrival of R&D centers in Catalonia represents a change in the economic model towards a more competitive "knowledge economy". The Catalonia Investment Agency (ACI) has been a key player in promoting this effort. Since its creation in April 2004 and until the end of 2006, ACI has helped to set up 22 new business projects with a highly technological profile.