For decades, the Regional Government of Andalucía has been working on a number of wide-reaching initiatives in the area of science and technology, with a view to establishing a more structured framework for R&D activities in the area. They have also been working to promote a favourable environment for the shared use of knowledge.
Since 2007, these strategies have been formalised in a 6 year programme of specific projects, with the ultimate goal of improving the competitiveness of Andalucía and generate wealth, wellbeing and progress in the region, by 2013. So, how are they doing?
Well, despite the economic crisis, their technology parks are working at full capacity – with more being built – and testimonials from multinationals are enthusiastic about the R&D activity and qualified workforce in the area, with the workforce being labeled a ‘mine of talent’.
The technology parks located in the area host over 1,000 companies, providing employment to 32,000 people and generating a turnover of over €4,290 million. They include Cartuja 93 Technology Park, the Health Sciences Technology Park and the Andalusian Aerospace Technology Park, AERÓPOLIS. Andalucía Technology Park (PTA), based in Malaga, is also a global reference among ICT-oriented parks.
In total, Andalucía supports 11 science and technology parks, 35 technology centres and innovation and technology foundations, 3 European business and innovation centres,18 agricultural and fishing research and training centres (IFAPA), and the Technological Corporation of Andalucía (CTA).
These are run by management organisations, who aim to continually promote knowledge sharing between world-leading academics and business – in effect, creating transfer networks.
Management of Transfer Networks
The Innovation and Development Agency of Andalucía (IDEA), as the Government economic development agency, is a key force in driving innovation and economic development in Andalucía. It is tasked with raising the level of competitiveness and productivity of Andalusian companies, which is naturally evolving to include more knowledge-based sectors.
The agency, through its offices in the region, is in charge of evaluating and coordinating the incentives to be granted, depending on the projects, to foreign companies choosing to develop in Andalucía.
IDEA’s policies also include increasing the number of global high-yield medium and high technology companies working in innovation, and establishing Andalucía as a nurturing ground for innovative ideas and projects to attract foreign and national investment.
The Technological Corporation of Andalucía (CTA) acts as a support for the R&D network as well as the traditional manufacturing network, and focuses on the promotion of public-private collaboration. It is shaping up to be one of the main drivers of R&D projects in Andalucía, and a leader in innovation and technology transfer at national level.
The Andalusian Network for Technological and Scientific Public Outreach (RECTA) is another not-for-profit association supported by the Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science, and aims to stimulate interest in science among the general public.
Finally, INVERCARIA is a venture capital company of the Regional Ministry Economy, Innovation and Science of Andalucía which finances R&D and innovation projects.
With so many dynamic organisations involved in supporting of Andalucia’s R&D networks, it is difficult to imagine how the sector could fail or even not grow.
Financial Incentives
Of course, support and strategy mean little without funding, so Andalucia has had to be competitive with its financial incentives, in order to be attractive to innovative investors on a European and global level.
Regional funding and the Technological Fund provide direct grants, loans, advances and subsidised interest rates for numerous elements involved in R&D and innovation activities. Anything from company creation to machinery and capital goods are potentially eligible, and the whole system gives the impression of being pretty flexible. It seems that IDEA, through its Invest In Andalucia initiative, will deal with identifying and acquiring the funding on behalf of the investor, after initial contact and meetings.
The region offers the maximum intensity of incentives permitted by the EU, with aids up to 50% of the eligible total amount, depending on the size of the company.
Future of R&D in Andalucia
It remains to be seen how far R&D and innovation networks in Andalucia will progress by the target year of their plan in 2013, but its success so far – despite such adverse global conditions - suggests that they will do unexpectedly well. All the aims of the plan are already being fulfilled, so if the organisations keep up the momentum, they will outstrip their own goals.
For further information on doing business in Andalucia, see Andalucia Innovation & Development Agency's profile.
