World Report

High quality products, research, development and innovation will bring success in new markets

Advanced production methods have helped to attract orders up to 2010 for Izar

migration has been a significant aspect of Galicia’s history – particularly to Latin American countries such as Brazil and Argentina. The region’s historical and economic links across the Atlantic, and strategic position at the westernmost edge of continental Europe, give it significant advantages to exploit in Mexico and the member countries of Mercosur.

Galicia’s main port at Vigo is ideally placed to handle increased maritime traffic from Latin America, according to Pablo Egerique Martínez, State Delegate for the Vigo Free Trade Zone Consortium. “If we can ensure that Mercosur merchandise enters Europe via the port of Vigo, the future looks very promising indeed,” he says.

The economic vitality of Galicia is exemplified in Vigo, Galicia’s business capital and Europe’s leading fishing port. Demand for industrial land is high and the consortium, which is the driving force behind many projects in the city, is planning a huge new Logistical Activity Zone to help meet the need.

Jesús Gamallo, Secretary General of the Galicia-Europe Foundation says that the small and medium-sized businesses, which “shape the GDP of the region”, must be helped to internationalise in order to achieve their potential in new markets.

JESÚS GAMALLO
Secretary General of Galicia-Europe Foundation

‘We must aim for for quality rather than quantity’

Enlargement of the EU in 2004 is regarded as both a challenge and an opportunity for Galicia, which according to Mr Gamallo, is one of the best represented autonomous communities in Brussels. “We have to strengthen the factors that make us competitive and work on our added value and quality, which the EU candidate countries have yet to develop. As long as we are capable of defending our competitiveness, enlargement can be regarded as an advantage and not a problem.”

Mr Gamallo points out that the key competitive areas that Galicia is focusing on – R&D, innovation, and access to information technologies – are all to do with added value and quality.

ANTONIO CASANOVA GAYOSO
President of Izar

‘We make a great effort to offer state-of-the-art products and services’

Quality has been a major factor in the success of Galicia’s textile sector, which has grown by 400 per cent over the last decade. Galicia has been the launchpad for one of Spain’s greatest fashion success stories, Zara, and designers such as Roberto Verino have put the region’s creations on the international catwalk.

The rewards from focusing on innovation and technology are in evidence across the regional economy. Izar, Europe’s second largest shipbuilder and the second largest employer in Galicia, has a portfolio of orders that extends to 2010.

The company’s shipyard in Ferrol boasts the world’s most advanced technological resources, and has a revolutionary production model and integrated modular construction that reduces both costs and delivery times. “We always make a great effort to offer the most advanced state-of-the-art products and services,” says Izar’s President, Antonio Casanova Gayoso.