The government appreciates the good development witnessed...

The Government evaluated the development of the National Charter for Industry (PNI) during the plenary session of the Catalan Business Council, composed of the General Government, Foment del Treball, PIMEC, CCOO, UGT, the General Council of the Chambers of Catalonia and the University. Barcelona, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Autonomous University of Barcelona, College of Economists of Catalonia, College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia, Council of Faculties of Graduate Engineers and Industrial Technical Engineers of Catalonia, EURECAT and AMEC.

The Minister of Business and Competitiveness, Albert Castellanos y Madeuel, stressed during the meeting held in Palau de Pedralbes that the implementation of 97% of the PNI in 2023 is a clear example of ““The government’s will to restore industrialization in Catalonia.” “A will proven by facts and ambition, as demonstrated by the increase in items aimed at strengthening and modernizing industry, including the largest line of industrial aid in the history of the General State.” In this regard, Castellanos noted that in 2023 the industry in Catalonia grew by 3.5%, exceeding all expectations and well above the national and European average. The Minister of Business also pointed out “A major role” From the government to enable the agreement between Chery and Ebro that culminates in the remanufacturing of the old Nissan plant.

The National Pact for Industry 2022-2025 is a country programmatic agreement to transform the industrial model in Catalonia, relaunch the productive economy, increase the weight of industry in the economic structure, promote a more digital and innovative industry, sustainable and generate good jobs, and give a framework of temporary stability to industrial policy.

During 2023, PNI achieved a budget implementation of €786.39 million in 2023, representing 97% of the planned amount. Regarding the actions of the National Institution of Industries, which are the responsibility of the business and labor sector, a total of 322 million euros have been allocated to the industrial policies of the Charter, which represents a degree of budget implementation of 114%.

Over €3.2 billion and 152 offers

The Charter is organized into five thematic areas, with 152 actions and more than €3,270 million of budget, including European funds, in all years of implementation. Counting its deployment only from September 2022 until the end of 2023, the government has allocated more than €1.4 billion to make the actions planned by the PNI a reality.

The main outcomes and actions are:

1. Sustainability, energy and circular economy

Implementation of 258.8 million euros from the budget

The goal is to bet on a green and circular economy that saves resources, minimizes waste, and enhances innovation and industrial competitiveness. Also, reducing the energy costs of Catalan industry compared to competitors and promoting the energy transition to deal with the climate emergency.

This is an area where the budget increase finally implemented was larger than initially planned. This fact responds to the importance of the ecological transition in the current context which PNI has captured from the beginning.

Highlights:

Assisting competitiveness and sustainability in the agri-food industries
Assisting the competitiveness of cooperatives and other agricultural union entities
Biomass enhancement
Rehabilitation and improvement of energy efficiency in homes

2. Digitization, Industry 4.0, innovation and internationalization

Implementation of 226 million euros from the budget

The purpose is to enhance the competitiveness of the Catalan business fabric through digitalization, Industry 4.0, innovation and internationalization. In this area, the following measures stand out:

Highlights:

Aid program for renewal of advanced machinery and equipment and new productive investments

3. Quality of labor, working conditions and training of workers in the industry

Implementation of 183.7 million euros from the budget

In this field, the National Charter for Industry aims to: improve the training of workers through vocational training and lifelong university education, which respond with quality and flexibility to the needs of companies and society, as well as enhancing industrial quality. Hiring taking into account the challenges that digital and environmental transformations can bring to workers.

Highlights:

Training for employment targeting unemployed people in the industrial sector
Informal training procedures for the qualification and rehabilitation of the active population
Employing women in industry, especially in vulnerable situations

4. Infrastructure and industrial lands

89.6 million euros implemented budget (temporary)

The idea is to make Catalonia have better infrastructure equipment, both physical and digital, as well as a suitable availability of industrial land, allowing to increase industrial productivity, structuring the region and encouraging the attraction of investments.

This is the area that has seen the largest number of changes in planned procedures. The PNI is a living document, and in this area there have been many rethinkings that account for this level of implementation. This is the case with the remanufacturing of the LOGIS Penedès platform. A strategic change has occurred in the fate of the Earth. The government is prioritizing the expansion of IDIADA in this area, so that the region is equipped with more innovative activity that attracts other sectors.

Another example is the case of LOGIS DUM in Barcelona, which was disposed of after analyzing its feasibility and discovering that the strategy of working with already existing spaces was more effective. In addition, it is necessary to add that data on the execution of Incasòl is missing, which does not allow a complete count of the executions carried out.

5. Financial and business dimension

· 25.5 million euros from the implemented budget

The aim is to increase the size of SMEs so that they can compete effectively in the global market and act as economic engines, as well as to encourage entrepreneurship and provide effective capitalization and financing tools to the productive sector to facilitate business growth and activity. The following offers stand out:

Highlights: