The Minister of University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, along with 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 Health Sciences Technological Park in Granada. The brand ‘Andalusian Science and Tech Parks’ was also unveiled during this event. In addition to this space in Granada, the new network includes the Almeria Scientific and Technological Park (PITA), Rabanales 21 in Córdoba, Geolit Scientific and Technological Park in Jaén, Andalusia Technological Park in Málaga, Cartuja Scientific and Technological Park, Aerópolis Aerospace Technological Park in Seville, and Santana Transport Scientific and Technological Park in Linares.
«Our scientific and technological parks are, without a doubt, magnets for attracting new projects and investments, and this is something we must take advantage of, especially now,» a moment in which 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 around 40,000 jobs. Currently, with eight parks, and according to the latest available data, the number of installed companies is 1,780 (an 11.25% increase), the total revenue reaches 12.271 billion euros (a 135.98% increase), and the number of employees is 76,021 (90.5%), all of this, «without yet accounting for the revenue data from the Santana Transport PCT,» he added.
The Minister of University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, alongside the heads of the Andalusian scientific and technological parks.
However, he also referred to the latest data on the Technological Employment Map in Spain, compiled by the COTEC Foundation, which indicates that Andalusia «still has much 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 also included data showing how in recent years the Andalusian community «has taken important steps in this regard, progressing towards leading positions.» In fact, «Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalusia are the only three autonomous communities where technological employment is increasing above the national 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 outlined 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 within the next 30 days, consisting of two representatives from the Ministry, one of whom will assume the presidency, and one representative from each park. The secretarial functions will be handled by the Cartuja PCT.
Likewise, various working groups will be formed to implement the various actions planned within this agreement, such as establishing 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 within the Andalusian PCTs, or organizing events to improve coordination between parks or business competitions in the sustainability sector.
