International Association of Science Parks (IASP). We attended to the Assembly held in Jerez
The first general assembly of the year of the Association has taken place in Jerez. It has been organised by the ‘Parque Tecnológico Agroindustrial de Jerez'.
The Assembly has been inaugurated by the Regional Ministry of Innovation of ‘Junta de Andalucía', Martín Soler, the Jerez Mayoress and President of the society ‘Parque Tecnológico Agroindustrial de Jerez', Pilar Sánchez, and the General Vicedirector for promoting the cooperative research belonging to the Science and Innovation Ministry, José Luís Pérez Salinas and the Presidente of APTE, Felipe Romera.
Two Parks, which were in a developping phase (affiliated members) have achived the full operation status (full memebers): ‘Parque Científico y Tecnológico Agroalimentario de Lleida' and ‘Parque Tecnológico Agroindustrial de Jerez'. Morevoer, the ‘Parque Tecnológico TecnoBahía' has joined the Association directly as full member, due to its full operation.
With these new incorporations, the total number of APTE members is up to 80, from which 35 are running.
On the other side, the Association has published the statistics of the members at the end of 2008, which show the big growing of the parks. The number of companies has increased 21% from last year, being 4,592 companies placed in the parks. The employment in the parks has increased the figure up to 127,000 workers, 27% of increase, of which 18,842 employees work in R&D activities. This figure represents 33% of increase. The turnover has reached 18,323 million of euro, which means 38% more than the previous year.
Moreover, the Association has reviewed the foreseen activities to be implemented during the current year. Among them, it outstands the VIII International Conference of APTE, with the slogan "the innovation as the answer". It will take place in Barcelona, organised by ‘Esade Creápolis Parque de la Innovación Empresarial' the next 9th,10th and 11th november.
