The Minister of University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, and the directors of the eight scientific and technological parks in Andalusia have signed a protocol to strengthen joint innovation and promote productive growth in these spaces during an event held at the Science and Health Technology Park in Granada. The brand ‘Andalusian Science and Tech Parks’ was also introduced. In addition to this park in Granada, the new network includes the Almería Scientific and Technological Park (PITA), Rabanales 21 in Córdoba, the Geolit Scientific and Technological Park in Jaén, the Technology Park of Andalusia in Málaga, the Cartuja Scientific and Technological Park, Aerópolis Aerospace Technology Park in Andalusia in Seville, and the Santana Transport Scientific and Technological Park in Linares.
«Our scientific and technological parks are, without a doubt, attractions for attracting new projects and investments, and this is something we must take advantage of, especially now,» a moment when the Andalusian model «consolidated by the Government of Juanma Moreno, based on stability, moderation, dialogue, and a set of reformist measures, is positioning Andalusia as a leading brand internationally,» emphasized Gómez Villamandos, who added that the Andalusian parks are becoming «preferred destinations for companies worldwide, where excellent and internationally projected research and innovation projects are born.»
In this regard, the Minister of University highlighted that while in 2018 the ten active scientific and technological parks at that time hosted 1,600 companies with a total revenue of 5.2 billion euros and about 40,000 jobs. Currently, with eight parks, and according to the latest available data, the number of companies located is 1,780 (an 11.25% increase), the combined revenue reaches 12.271 billion euros (a 135.98% increase), and the number of workers is 76,021 (90.5%) and all this, «without even accounting for the revenue data from the Santana Transport PCT,» he added.
The Minister of University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, with the heads of the scientific and technological parks in Andalusia.
However, he also referred to the latest data on the Technological Employment Map in Spain, prepared by the COTEC Foundation, which confirms that Andalusia «still has a lot of room for improvement in terms of the weight of technological employment in the region, which has 138,625 jobs, accounting for 4.1% of the total», although he pointed out that it also includes data showing how in recent years the Andalusian community «has taken significant steps in this regard, moving towards leading positions.» In fact, «Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia are the only three autonomous communities where technological employment increases above the average, 0.57% in the Andalusian case, compared to the national 0.55%,» he emphasized.
Thus, Gómez Villamandos argued that the network of parks will allow for better coordination and cohesion of these top-level spaces, promoting the interrelation of entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer, and innovation, as well as collaboration among companies, technology centers, universities, and other knowledge agents. «The goal is to turn this network into a mechanism and create an environment where technological innovation is the protagonist,» he highlighted.
Joint Monitoring Committee
As stated in the general action protocol signed by the Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation and the scientific and technological parks, a Joint Monitoring Committee will be established in the next 30 days, with two representatives from the Ministry, one of whom will assume the presidency, and one representative from each park. The secretarial functions will be assumed by the Cartuja PCT.
Likewise, different working groups will be formed to implement various actions under this agreement, such as the establishment of a common information system for monitoring innovative and business activities promoted in these spaces, and the development of joint services and activities. These actions include connecting research groups and companies, enhancing technological and knowledge transfer, designing an Andalusian map of business ecosystem and capabilities in the field of Andalusian PCTs, and organizing meetings to improve coordination among parks or business competitions in the field of sustainability.