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Tag: events

The MWC boosts Barcelona’s economy: exceeding 500 million euros

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This year the world-famous Mobile World Congress (MWC) has managed to exceed expectations by reaching more than 100,000 attendees in this new edition, a figure that has not been seen since 2016. This growth has not only been solely quantitative, but also qualitative, since half of the participants hold senior management positions, reflecting a trend that the event organizers have promoted in recent years to underline the strategic nature of the congress.

In a context of recovery from the pandemic, MWC 2024 has established a new economic record by exceeding, for the first time, the 500 million euro impact. This figure, which is calculated annually to measure the economic benefit of the event, includes both direct spending in the local economy and taxes collected by the central government.

In addition to this direct economic impact, the MWC has generated more than 9,200 temporary jobs to meet the demands of the congress, both the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications) and Fira de Barcelona and the participating companies. Since 2006, it is estimated that Congress has created more than 160,000 part-time jobs, often offering young people their first job opportunity.

A GSMA report highlights that this year’s economic impact figure doubles that obtained in the first edition held in Barcelona 18 years ago, in 2006. Since its arrival in the city, the MWC has contributed more than 6.3 billion euros to the local economy, consolidating itself as a fundamental event for the region.

“The MWC and Barcelona form a perfect combination of innovation, collaboration and shared success. Without the support of the host city and its residents, we would not be able to hold such a successful event each year,” said John Hoffman, CEO of the GSMA. “The economic impact of the MWC in Barcelona is a sign of confidence in the city and demonstrates our joint success. After 18 years of collaboration, the MWC is much more than a congress for Barcelona, ​​and Barcelona is much more than a city for the GSMA,” added Jordi Valls.

SIL Barcelona 2024 marks its new record with more than 15,000 visitors and the presence of 650 companies

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The International Logistics Exhibition (SIL) has concluded its twenty-fourth edition with an outstanding participation, registering more than 15,396 visitors and the presence of 650 companies, of which 35% are international.

This event, dedicated to Logistics, Transport, Intralogistics and Supply Chain, has witnessed more than 150 events and has received attendees from 93 different countries, marking a historical milestone with the maximum representation of the Autonomous Communities of Spain, including Aragon, Extremadura, Galicia, Canary Islands, Castilla y León, Region of Murcia and Catalonia.

In addition to the impressive attendance, this edition of SIL has stood out for the presentation of more than 180 technological innovations and specialized services in various areas of logistics, transportation and distribution. The complete program of conferences and parallel activities has made it possible to address emerging challenges and trends in the industry.

The SIL digital platform has facilitated more than 8,000 exchanges of contacts, 3,000 meeting requests and more than 12,000 messages between attendees.

On the other hand, SIL 2024 has been the scene of a historical record in the field of innovation, with the participation of 120 startups, the largest presence of emerging companies in the history of the event. This has promoted various networking and business activities, consolidating SIL Barcelona as a global meeting point for the logistics industry.

In addition, the Job Market Place has been organized in collaboration with Barcelona Activa, attracting companies interested in filling job vacancies and focused on technological transformation and sustainability in logistics.

Barcelona will host the International Logistics Exhibition 2024

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Barcelona is preparing to host the International Logistics Exhibition (SIL) from June 5 to 7 at the Fira de Barcelona, Plaza España. This event, organized by the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB), is one of the most important fairs in the world in logistics, transport, intralogistics and supply chain.

In its 24th edition, the SIL stands out for its magnitude and diversity, reflecting the growing interest in the sector. 650 companies, more than 100 startups will participate, and more than 160 exclusive innovations will be presented. This year, the fair focuses on the digital transformation of the logistics sector.

The event will feature advanced solutions such as the use of drones for the last mile and applications to monitor maritime noise and preserve biodiversity.

In addition, professionals will be able to participate in the SIL Platform, a space designed to enhance networking and business relationships. This platform will make it easier to schedule meetings and share knowledge.

SIL Knowledge will offer a program with more than 70 sessions and 320 international speakers who will discuss the challenges and opportunities of new technologies in logistics. Topics to be discussed include fuels for maritime transport, industrial digitalization, sustainability and AI in logistics. Directors from large companies such as Unilever, Nestlé, Mercadona and Revlon will participate.

Finally, the BWAW by SIL will promote gender equality in a sector traditionally dominated by men, with daily sessions dedicated to making visible the role of women in logistics.

Advances in semiconductors: IoT Solutions World Congress 2024

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The IoT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC) in Barcelona brought together more than 300 companies and 250 global experts, highlighting advances in semiconductors, essential for industrial transformation.

The event offered interactive experiences, such as a “Testbed” for real applications and a Startup Pavilion. Catalan companies and technology centers, with the support of ACCIÓ, were present at the Catalonia Pavilion (stand D80), offering networking activities.

Semiconductors were the focus, with leading companies such as STMicroelectronics, Lacroix, Tessolve and Würth Elektronik. The Catalan Pavilion (stand D71) presented 13 local companies, as part of the Catalan Government’s initiative to promote this sector.

China, the guest country, promoted international cooperation with the exhibition of chips with energy management and intelligent systems.

The District hopes to bring together 12,000 professionals from September 25 to 27 in Barcelona

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The District returns to Barcelona with its real estate event from September 25th to 27th at La Fira, expecting over 12,000 industry professionals. Under the theme “Elevate Your Business. Accelerate Your Deals,” it will focus on emerging business opportunities in the current economic cycle.

More than 300 firms will showcase projects seeking investment and offer services to facilitate transactions. Additionally, The District World Summit 2024, a European congress bringing together over 400 experts to discuss real estate sector challenges, will take place.

As a novelty, a forum dedicated to real estate infrastructure will be presented, exploring the macro-trend of flex as a solution to affordable housing shortages.

The District positions itself as a key event for the real estate sector, providing a unique platform for idea exchange, networking, and investment exploration.

With a focus on innovation and emerging trends, The District 2024 promises to be a must-attend event for anyone interested in the real estate world.

The Mobile World Congress exceeds expectations with more than 101,000 attendees and million-dollar commercial agreements

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This year, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) hosted more than 101,000 attendees from 205 countries. 59% represented industries adjacent to the mobile ecosystem.

If we go into the details of the figures, the MWC was attended by 2,600 journalists, 2,700 exhibitors and 1,100 speakers, of which 51% hold a business position at the level of director or higher, including 21% of senior executives.


Catalan participation in the MWC and 4YFN, supported by the Generalitat of Catalonia, expects to generate 18.4 million euros of turnover in 12 months, and 12% of companies have already signed agreements during the congress. With more than 3,179 meetings and visits, 44% with international professionals, and a record of 24,880 visitors in the Catalan pavilions, MWC Barcelona continues to be a global stage for innovation and technology in Catalonia.

Barcelona is preparing to be the world capital of architecture in 2026

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Barcelona is preparing to assume the role of capital of architecture in a synergistic collaboration with professional and cultural entities, institutions, schools and citizens, thus becoming the epicenter.

For ten months, from Santa Eulalia to Santa Lucía, activities will be carried out in the ten districts of the city, which will include exhibitions, routes, workshops, open days, installations, conferences and competitions, with the objective of highlighting the heritage and local talent, while promoting understanding of the importance of urban planning and architecture.

In addition, Barcelona will host the Congress of the International Union of Architects, where contemporary challenges will be addressed, such as climate change and access to housing.

The event also seeks to leave a lasting legacy, with the creation of a large-scale model of the city and a competition to intervene in urban party walls, promoting values of habitability, sustainability and biodiversity.

Ahead of the big event in 2026, Architecture Weeks in 2024 and 2025 will offer a wide range of activities to engage the community.

At MIPIM, Barcelona Catalonia positions the Catalan capital and its metropolitan area on the world map of Life Sciences and the innovation economy

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  • Barcelona Catalonia attends the real estate fair in Cannes MIPIM 2024 which starts today and runs until this Friday, March 15.
  • The delegation has once again incorporated public and private partners to offer a joint offer to the foreign investor.
  • Projects such as Parc de l’Alba, 22@Nord or the GranVia Biopol project stand out.

 

Barcelona Catalonia, formed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, through INCASÒL, the Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), will attend the MIPIM 2024 real estate fair, the 17th edition in which it will participate. This year the real estate fair, one of the largest trade fairs for property and investment in Europe, takes place in Cannes (France) from March 12 to 15.

In this year’s edition, MIPIM wants to influence and accelerate the transformation of the urban environment. It also wants to become a space where concrete solutions can be proposed and the international real estate community connected to create more sustainable, livable and prosperous places for people. In this context, the fair is an opportunity to explain the strategic projects that are being developed in Barcelona, in the metropolitan area and throughout Catalonia.

Under the motto Making IT happen!, Barcelona Catalonia will present projects from all over the Catalan territory with different investment opportunities for all sectors, presenting Barcelona and Catalonia as an ideal area for investments and new projects while reaffirming the its commitment to inclusive, sustainable and cohesive development models.

Barcelona Catalonia Conference: The Science & the City

Within the framework of MIPIM and as a conference of the official program, Barcelona Catalonia is organizing, for the sixth time, a meeting to discuss the recruitment of talent and reindustrialization linked to innovation. On this occasion, the conference will explore the dynamic intersection of scientific innovation and urban development in Barcelona, its metropolis and in Catalonia. It will present investment opportunities at the forefront of innovation, from life sciences to semiconductors, promoting the reindustrialization of the territory and the development of sustainable urban ecosystems. The session will be led by Mercè Conesa, CEO of Barcelona Global, and will have the participation of José Luis Garrido, ICREA research professor and @ICN2 group leader, and Eva Jodar, senior director of Client Care & Client Solutions at CBRE Spain.

Barcelona City Council’s Commissioner for International Relations and City Promotion, Pau Solanilla, will participate in the Political Leaders Summit 2024, which brings together city leaders from all over Europe and the world to share perspectives to achieve urban improvements. The attraction of investments in the current macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, decarbonisation and net zero, the economy of innovation, transforming infrastructures, or affordable housing will be the focus of the round tables.

Apart from the official program of the fair, the Barcelona Catalonia stand organizes a series of meetings, talks and presentations to discuss Barcelona and Catalonia as a space for innovation, for investing and for settling down. In this edition, Barcelona City Council wants to highlight its profile as a city for science and innovation with areas such as the 22@ nord, and projects such as Port Olímpic, focused on the blue economy sector, or that of the Ciutadella del Coneixement, with more weight in the life sciences sector. On the part of INCASÒL the presentation of the Parc de l’Alba de Cerdanyola del Vallès project, located around the Sincrotró Alba, a new urban district that is designed to host the most advanced platforms at a scientific, technological and entrepreneurial level, as well such as the creation of more than 5,300 homes in a sustainable, balanced and connected environment.

The AMB’s Economic Development Agency participates for another year in the fair accompanying eight metropolitan municipalities to promote municipal urban developments on an international scale: Cerdanyola del Vallès, Cornellà de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat, Gavà, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Boi de Llobregat and Viladecans. Under the slogan ‘Discover the Metropolitan Projects’, the Barcelona Catalonia stand will present the investment opportunities of Gavà (Els Joncs project, Sector Ponent), Esplugues de Llobregat (Porta Barcelona project), Sant Adrià de Besòs (Les tres xemeneies project), Sant Boi de Llobregat (Casernes project – District Z) and Viladecans.

Public-private collaboration as a claim for the foreign investor

Barcelona Catalonia consolidates its model of public-private collaboration that combines the proposals of the different administrations and the projects of private companies in the sector. In this sense, the MIPIM stand brings together companies with an international vocation and municipal, metropolitan and supra-municipal administrations that collaborate on urban planning projects in Catalonia. On this occasion, the B-Tec Foundation of the Diagonal-Besòs Campus, Catalonia Trade & Investment and the University of Barcelona are collaborating with Barcelona Catalonia. The town councils of Cerdanyola del Vallès, Cornellà de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat, Gavà, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Boi de Llobregat and Viladecans are also present. As well as more than 30 private partners, made up of engineers, architects, lawyers and real estate services based in Catalonia.

Barcelona awarded as the best city in Europe for attracting investments

For the third year in a row, Barcelona will receive the prize for the best European city in terms of future investment attraction strategy at MIPIM. fDi Magazine, from the Financial Times group, has ranked Barcelona as the city that deploys the best promotion and investment attraction strategy in Europe, ahead of London, Berlin and Dublin. The ranking highlights Barcelona’s work in promotion to grow clusters in supercomputing, artificial intelligence, health and biotechnology.

Meeting and congress tourism in Barcelona will exceed the 2023 data

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Meeting and conference tourism is essential for Barcelona, with more than 450 conferences in 2023 and more than 100 confirmed appointments for the coming months. Christoph Tessmar, director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau (BCB), anticipates a year equal to or better than the previous one, predicting a promising future for Barcelona in this area.

The city has attracted major international events, strengthening its position in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) sector. Some events such as Integrated Systems Europe and Mobile World Congress stand out on the calendar above the others.

The city’s infrastructure, its professionalism and the hotel offer are factors that contribute to its success. However, competition from cities like Madrid, Vienna and Paris is becoming stronger. To maintain its leadership, Barcelona must identify opportunities, diversify and consider expansions such as Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue and the possible conversion of the Airport into an intercontinental hub. Despite the post-pandemic challenges, the MICE sector shows resilience and contributes beyond the economic impact, enriching tourism and promoting knowledge in the city.

Currently, the BCB is working on 108 applications for the coming years, maintaining the confidentiality of the sector.

ISE 2024: Preparations for a historic event in Barcelona

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Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is preparing for its twentieth edition with the expectation of setting new records.

Following the positive economic impact of ISE 2023 in Barcelona, generating 385 million euros, the organization plans to leave a lasting legacy in the city. Companies such as B-Tech, Lang, Aztec, and others, have chosen to settle in Barcelona since the arrival of the ISE in 2021. The 2024 edition, from January 30 to February 2, will have 1,300 exhibitors, occupying 65,000 square meters , and will add two new pavilions, consolidating its position as a leading event in the audiovisual field.

Barcelona relies on the new standard track gauge of Can Tunis to capture Asian flows.

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The port of Barcelona is preparing for the expansion of the standard or international gauge (UIC) in the logistics center of Can Tunis, with the aim of strengthening the rail connectivity of Asian imports with the rest of Europe. The arrival of six new standard track gauge, which will be combined with the existing ones, will make it possible to maximize the distribution capacity of maritime imports to the north and center of Europe, as well as attract production from these regions to the port.

The port entity highlights that this improvement in rail traffic will favor an optimal balance between imports and exports, consolidating the position of the port of Barcelona as an important hub for the flow of goods between Europe and China.

The goal of the port of Barcelona was presented during the Automotive Logistics conference in Yantai, China. Port entity representatives attended the event to promote the port’s role in distributing Chinese-made vehicles to Europe. According to the port’s statistics, Chinese vehicle imports saw a 165% increase between January and May this year compared to last year, reaching a total of 114,734 vehicles. In general terms, vehicle imports have grown by 76% during the same period. The port of Barcelona has been receiving multipurpose vessels from Cosco, using special structures called ‘flat rack’ to transport the vehicles due to the shortage of vehicle carriers in the international market.

HMM launches its own line to connect Valencia and Barcelona with India and the Far East.

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The South Korean ship HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine) will start its own transport service between the Far East, India and the ports of Valencia and Barcelona that will consist of 26 calls to ports in 11 countries.

This service will start on August 6 in the port of Busan (South Korea) with a duration of 84 days in total. Company sources have predicted that the ship will arrive to Valencia and Barcelona, approximately, in September.

From its departure, it will also pass through the ports of Kwangyang (also South Korea) and continue its route through China, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to later reach the African continent and pass through Egypt, and finally, enter Europe and pass through the ports of Greece, Italy and the APM Terminals facilities in Valencia and Barcelona (Spain).

“With the introduction of the FIM (Far East – India – Mediterranean) service, we hope to expand our reach to India and the Mediterranean trade,” sources from the shipping company said.

The International Logistics Exhibition (SIL) in Barcelona has ended with a 20% growth in the number of visitors

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More than 15,000 people took part in the event, during the three days of its 25th edition. In addition, the organisation counted the participation of 650 companies, 40% of which were international, and more than 250 events held within the framework of the sectoral fair. It had an economic impact in Barcelona of 50 million euros, exceeding the initial estimate of the Zona Franca de Barcelona.

The profile of the vast majority of the participants is that they are decision-makers in their companies, said the director general of the Zona Franca de Barcelona, Blanca Sorigué. She also stated that the organisation’s wish was to continue the success of the event for at least another 25 years. She also announced the dates for the next edition to be held in 2024, which will take place on the 5th, 6th and 7th.

The special delegate of the State in the Zona Franca of Barcelona, Pere Navarro, highlighted the satisfaction of the companies participating in the event, who closed business deals and established high quality contacts throughout the three days. Navarro highlighted the growth of the fair in terms of internationality, business impulse, networking and market knowledge.

The organisation emphasised the use of its digital platform to encourage networking, revealing that 8,317 digital contact exchanges, nearly 3,000 meeting requests and 7,106 messages were made between attendees, according to official sources. In addition, a marketplace for recruitment was set up in collaboration with the public platform Barcelona Activa, which resulted in 107 job interviews out of the 374 applications submitted. Among the companies offering vacancies were Alquimia Fruits, Cargobici, Cargo-Partner, Decathlon, DHL Supply Chain, Grupo CTC, Mail Boses, Torrella Ingeniería-Arquitectura and Vanapedal, according to the event organisers.

Catalonia at the world’s most important Industry 4.0 trade fair, Hannover Messe

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The Minister for Enterprise and Employment of Catalonia, Roger Torrent, attended the Hannover Messe trade fair in Germany to promote Catalonia as one of the leading regions in Industry 4.0 in southern Europe. The fair was attended by more than 200,000 visitors and leading companies in the industrial sector.

During the visit, Torrent held several meetings with leading companies in the Industry 4.0 sector, such as Siemens Energy and SAP, and also met with executives from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the most important applied research centre in Europe. The mission was organised by the ACCIÓN-Catalonia Trade & Investment offices in Germany and Denmark.

Torrent stated that Catalonia was one of the industrial engines of Europe and had one of the most advanced digital ecosystems on the continent, which, together with the generation of specialised talent and the presence of key scientific-technical infrastructures, placed it as one of the most capable regions in Industry 4.0. During his participation in the Hannover Messe fair, the minister focused on the latest trends in advanced manufacturing and automation, as well as the use of new energy resources such as hydrogen and how industry is incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and the cloud.

The minister travelled to Denmark to strengthen international connections in digitalisation and sustainability. During his visit, he met with different relevant technology centres such as Digital Hub Denmark, the State of Green and the Danish Technological Institute. He also held meetings with executives from companies such as Hempel and IO Interactive. The aim was to look for new ways to collaborate with Catalonia and to learn about the latest trends in digitalisation and sustainability in the country.

Five urban innovation projects win the third edition of the “La ciudad proactiva” call for proposals

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BIT Habitat, in charge of promoting urban innovation to respond to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges, launches the third edition of “La ciudad proactiva. Innovación con impacto”.

 

The winning projects will receive half a million euros, which will be used to finance up to 80% of each project. 

 

The five winning projects present solutions to address the challenges of energy transition, climate emergency, urban transformation, housing and social cohesion. 

 

The winning projects are:

 

  • Logirepak: presented by Fundación Catalana para la Prevención de Residuos y Consumo Responsable [Recero] y Design by Intuition [Paka] Urban logistics network for the reuse of packaging for fresh food in city markets. Subsidised with 120,000 €. 
  • TEPAC: presented by the following organisations: Batec Pol Cooperatiu per la Transició Energètica, Azimut 360 y La Fabric@. Seeking to unblock the use of communal rooftops to facilitate the construction of energy communities. Subsidised with 120,000 €.
  • RAVALoritza: presented by Transfolab Bcn and Raons públiques, participatory design and co-creation of furniture for the space of the Casal dels Infants del Raval youth group, with an educational strategy. Subsidised with around €40,000. 
  • RESPIRA: project presented by the group formed by Noumena Design Research Education, el Instituto de Arquitectura Avanzada de Cataluña, la Asociación de Vecinos y Vecinas del Poblenou and Plataforma de Entidades de las Roquetes. Subsidised with nearly €100,000.
  • DaTaLoG: initiative presented by Universidad Pompeu Fabra and Ideas for Change.Data trust that will allow, in a participatory manner, the use of water, electricity and gas consumption data to make better decisions on access, savings and the impact of energy consumption. Subsidised with approximately €115,000. 

 

In addition to financial support, BIT Habitat will provide the projects with expert mentoring and facilitate access to technology in order to develop prototypes. It will also provide technical accompaniment and communication and dissemination support. 

Currently, 22 innovative projects are underway thanks to this aid initiative launched in 2022.

Successful Saló Nàutic closes with 50.000 visitors and more than 700 vessels

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This year’s event had a clear focus on sustainability, featuring electric and hybrid boats.

The 60th edition of the Saló Nàutic Internacional de Barcelona closed on 16th October with more than 50,000 visitors, 279 exhibitors, more than 700 boats and 80 novelties, according to the Fira de Barcelona.

It was held at the Moll de la Madera, the Moll de España and the Marina Port Vell in Barcelona and lasted five days. The event has increased its offer by 22% and has increased its space by 40%, according to the Fira de Barcelona.

The event aimed to promote sustainability in the sector, showcasing new electric and hybrid boats. The show was attended by 400 international buyers, who were able to see 28 catamarans and 14 boats, which are candidates for the Mejor Barco Europeo del Año.

The fair has been the setting for the presentation to visitors of the America’s Cup, which will be held in 2024 off the coast of Barcelona. For this reason, the New Zealand organising team has been present and the visit of the members of the Swiss team Alinghi, a group that is already training in the Catalan capital, has been reported.

INNOVATION

Fifteen start-ups from seven different countries have presented their projects for a digitised and less aggressive marine environment. A small-scale boat has been presented, with an aesthetic similar to that of a car, which functions as a taxi but at sea. This is the project of the company Seabubble and the difference it presented compared to similar projects from other years is that the boat is completely electric. The aim of this proposal is to save time and energy, according to statements made by Joan Company, one of the promoters of this project.

Another innovation presented during the show was a remotely operated life-saver, with the purpose of reaching the victim as quickly as possible. It is a project created by a Valencian company called Proteus. The lifeguard has a built-in microphone and loudspeaker, so that the rescuer and the victim can be in contact.

The event organisers have declared that “it has been one of the best events in recent years thanks to the large number of visitors registered, the quality of the offer and the business contacts generated”, which helps to reinforce the event as a leader and benchmark in the sector in Spain.

The District, a new opportunity to open our activities to the world

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From October the 19th to October 21st Barcelona has held a new real estate fair that aims to be a new voice within the real estate industry. During those days, Barcelona, its Metropolitan Area, and Catalonia, through the name Barcelona Catalonia, have been sharing their projects amongst the international public that attended the fair. Barcelona Catalonia has also held different debates and conferences both at the Main Auditorium and at the Innovation Arena.

The Barcelona Catalonia Conference, which took place on Friday the 21st at the main auditorium revolved around the idea of talent and innovation and how those are key factors for a stable business environment, and how Barcelona and Catalonia manage them. der the title of “Barcelona Catalonia: Talent & Innovation Hub”, the session was moderated by the associated director of the bTEC foundation Diagonal-Besòs Campus at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and the speakers were Jordi Arrufí, director of Talent & Knowledge at the Mobile World Capital Barcelona, John Derweduwe, managing Partner for Spain and Portugal at Heylen Warehouses, and Eusebi Carles, partner at capital markets offices at Cushman & Wakefield.

All the panel agreed on the fact that Barcelona and Catalonia are perfect places to locate a company and to develop its innovation projects. Arrufí argues that Barcelona is appealing to tech companies as it has rejoined “academia, the start-ups, investors and R&D centers”, creating a space where all those companies and institutions can help each other, creating a great networking environment. There’s another aspect added to it, that has been pointed out by Derweduwe, that is that Catalunya is not only the “powerhouse of Spain” but also offers “cheaper land” as well as “qualified workforce”.

Looking at the future, the three of them agreed that some changes need to be done in order to appeal to more companies and their workers. For Carles, it is essential to make the “office more attractive”, incorporating more “collaborative spaces”. Ironically the lack of them during the pandemic is what made companies realize their great value of them.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR PROJECTS WITH THE INTERNACIONAL PUBLIC

On top of the Barcelona Catalonia Conference, the different Barcelona Catalonia partners had a space at the Innovation Arena to present their main projects on the real estate sector, and how it is interesting for the international public to invest in Barcelona, its metropolitan area, and Catalunya.

The mayor of Esplugues de Llobregat, Pilar Díaz, presented the main developing sectors of the city, a growing city next to Barcelona and the main communication facilities. Those sectors, Porta Barcelona, el Gall and ARE Montesa, are perfect both for economic activity and residential land, with a special focus on the hospitality sector.

The mayor of Cerdanyola del Vallès, Carlos Cordón, and Joaquim Maria Vidal, from INCASÒL’s sales department, presented the Parc de l’Alba, a growing sector at Cerdanyola del Vallès with both residential and economical land. It is a great sector for innovation and technological infrastructures, as it is located next to research hubs such as the Alba synchrotron and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. It is also next to AP-7, the main road connecting south Spain with Europe, and no further than 20 minutes from the main communication facilities.

Finally, Albert Dalmau, manager of Economy, Resources, and Economic Promotion at the Barcelona City Council presented Barcelona’s Green Deal, an ambitious plan to transform the city towards a more sustainable and appealing place, starting with seven strategic areas. The idea is to pacify those areas, rehabilitating old buildings and creating more green spaces integrated with the city and its architecture.

SYNERGIES

During the celebration, more than 380 international experts met and shared the major unknowns, challenges and trends facing the industry today and provided useful responses to address these unknowns.

On the other hand, they had more than 250 exhibition signatures presenting their real estate projects. Thus, international investors were able to know at first hand the real estate assets that will mark the future of investments. Several networking activities took place to boost the real estate business. There was a unique program of Premium meetings to encourage synergies.

The La Caixa Foundation increases its aid to Catalan social organisations by 42% to 10.5 million

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Given the current social crisis, the La Caixa Foundation has decided to increase by 42% (to 10.5 million euros) its aid to Catalan social organisations.

The social organisations that are currently fighting against poverty and working to combat social exclusion in Catalonia are completely overwhelmed due to the social crisis that is currently being experienced in Catalonia. The president of the Bureau of Third Social Sector organisations, Francina Alsina, warned of “a hardening” of the current situation in the coming months, which will be reflected in many new additions to the poverty and social exclusion pool in Catalonia.

According to Alsina, a quarter of Catalans (26% of the current population) are already in a situation of poverty and social exclusion (according to Idescat). The post-pandemic situation based on inflation and the energy crisis means that this group is “hard hit”.

The chain of current crises means that many of the social entities have reached critical limits in terms of their financial situation. Faced with this difficult situation, the La Caixa Banking Foundation has decided to increase the direct aid it grants each year to these social organisations in order to finance their action programmes and try to improve this extreme situation.

Marc Simón, Deputy Director General of the La Caixa Foundation commented, “We want to be closer than ever to organisations and people in vulnerable situations and to promote as many projects as possible that have an impact on those who need them most”.

According to Simón, the idea of La Caixa is to be a “natural strategic” ally to help tackle this overexertion and that is why this year “collaboration with the third sector will be intensified, extending the endowment and facilitating access to aid”.