STRATEGIC MEETING BETWEEN MIKEL JAUREGI AND THE INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS OF EUSKADI

22 July, 2024The Basque Government's Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, met with the leaders of the 17 industrial clusters in the Basque Country to discuss the general situation of Basque industry. For more than two hours, key issues affecting both the global and sectoral level were addressed, with the aim of aligning efforts towards a prosperous and sustainable industrial future.

Industrial Development Plan 2028

At the meeting, Jauregi highlighted the importance of clusters as essential agents in the planning and execution of the new Industrial Development Plan 2028, which will have a social vision of industry. This plan is part of a broader strategy of the Basque Government to respond to the challenges of the energy-climate, social-health and technological-digital transitions.

Jauregi stated: ‘We are living in a historic moment of transformations, in which we must decide how we respond as a people to the three major transitions we are facing: the energy-climate, the socio-health and the technological-digital transitions. We will invest in energy efficiency in the industrial sphere, we will continue to move forward to speed up the implementation of renewable energies and, at the same time, we will work to restore our ecological diversity. I appeal to the pioneering spirit of our people to face the great challenges and opportunities of the future’.

Commitments to the Energy Transition and Climate Change Act

The Energy Transition and Climate Change Act provides an opportunity that Councillor Jauregi has pledged to take full advantage of. During the meeting, the commitments derived from this law were discussed in depth, seeking the active collaboration of all the clusters to face the complex challenges that lie ahead.

The Minister stressed that industry is the driving force of the Basque Country, highlighting its role in competitiveness and the generation of quality employment. ‘Industry is also our commitment to the future. I am convinced that together we will all be able to respond to these challenges,’ said Jauregi.

Participation of the Industrial Clusters

The meeting, held at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC), was attended by leading general managers of the Basque Country's industrial clusters, among them:

• Fernando Zubillaga, CEO of MLC - ITS Transport, Mobility and Logistics cluster.
• Ana Villate, General Manager of the Aeronautics and Space cluster HEGAN.
• Marcial Alzaga, CEO of the AFV Foundry cluster.
• Inés Anitua, General Manager of the Automotive Cluster ACICAE.
• Jose Ignacio Hormaeche, General Manager of the Energy Cluster.
• Idoia Muñoz, General Manager of Biosalud Basque Health Cluster.
• Jon Ansoleaga, General Manager of the BUILD Construction Cluster.
• Tomás Iriondo, General Manager of the TEICs cluster, GAIA.
• Pedro Fortea, General Manager of Railway Equipment, MAFEX.
• Leire Aldabaldetreku, General Manager of the Habitat, Wood, Office and Contract cluster, HABIC.
• Jon Ander Egaña, General Manager of Basque Food, the Basque Food cluster.
• Sarai Blanc, General Manager of FMV- Basque Maritime Forum.
• Xabier Ortueta, General Manager of AFM Cluster dedicated to Advanced Manufacturing.
• Olga Martín, General Manager of the ACLIMA Environment Cluster.
• Iñaki Ugarte, General Manager of the Paper Cluster.
• Asier San Millán, General Manager of the Steel Products and Installations Cluster, SIDEREX.
• Jon Ander de las Fuentes, president of the recently constituted new financial and investment cluster BasqueFIK.

Towards a Future of Collaboration and Sustainability

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the different clusters and the Basque Government to face industrial challenges with a medium and long-term vision. Joint efforts and inter-sectoral cooperation are highlighted as key elements to achieve a more competitive, sustainable and future-proof Basque industry.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all parties to continue working together to create a robust and resilient industrial environment, capable of facing current and future challenges.