PITA attends signing of new financing framework for Parks in Andalusia
The Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA) was in attendance at the signing of the new financing framework for the eleven science and technology parks in Andalusia, as was the president of the Andalusian Regional Government, José Antonio Griñán. PITA Managing Director, Alfredo Sánchez, was also present, along with representatives of the companies established at the Almería-based park.
Members of the PITA Board of Directors, Federico Terrón and Javier Russinés, attended the signing of this agreement, along with the Regional Manager of Cajamar, Pascual Candel. Companies operating at the PITA Science Centre, Decisiones Geoconstructivas (DG), Cadia Ingeniería and Gestora de Residuos del Sur (GERESUR), were also present at the act held in Malaga. The President of Andalusia, José Antonio Griñán, emphasized that science and technology parks represent “the paradigm of change for the economic framework that we seek in Andalusia [and their] contribution is vital towards promoting an economy of knowledge founded on the tradition of business.” According to Mr. Griñán, technology parks are “strategic allies for companies [as they serve as] the nexus between knowledge and production,” while they also consolidate “services and resources.” Furthermore, as the president stated, they constitute “the perfect setting for business cooperation” and also collaboration between the public and private sectors.
This new financing framework, which reserves 10.95 million euros for the eleven Andalusian technology parks until 2012, is “securely structured and based on a system of objective achievement.”
The signing of these agreements brings the Andalusian government’s total funding for technology parks to 440 million euros. These contributions are representative of “continued” commitment, as are other initiatives, such as “exempting banks through the regional tax from the amounts that companies borrow in order to set up operations at technology parks,” as was stated by Mr. Griñán.
The president of the regional government also emphasized that “technology parks in Andalusia have demonstrated that they are a driving force behind economic growth and the creation of qualified jobs.” He also called attention to the fact that these parks absorb nearly 40% of all private Andalusian investment in R+D+I and 43% of their workers have advanced university studies or doctoral degrees. President Griñán added that the new financing framework for parks is a testament to “the Andalusian government’s commitment towards nurturing the capacity for development and competitiveness in the key strategic sectors of Andalusia.”
Continuing in this line, the president highlighted that R+D+I funding in Andalusia has doubled in the last decade and that this expenditure accounts for 1.1% of the GRP (Gross Regional Product). Andalusia is currently home to 2,000 active research groups and almost 30,000 doctoral degree holders; a population which Mr. Griñán described as a “wellspring of potential” that must be taken advantage of if the region is “to expand its capacity to innovate and strengthen the footholds that will lift it to economic recovery.”
