Balearics pitch China on energy and housing investment
The Balearic Government put its investment incentives before Chinese embassy officials in Madrid, Spain, on 14 September, seeking collaboration on projects to modernise the Balearic Islands economy. Bárbara Barceló represented the government at the meeting. She attended alongside Mateu Oliver of the Balearic Islands Industrial Foundation and Fabián Torres Suárez of Madrid’s College of Industrial Engineers.
The catalogue sets out the islands’ economic framework, competitive advantages and opportunities for investors considering projects intended to bring change to the Balearics. Chinese representatives at the meeting included embassy minister Qu Xun, counsellor Hou Yongfeng and economics and trade attaché Cai Danming.
Energy, building and digital tools
The talks focused on making the islands more energy independent through renewable power, storage, smart grids, efficiency measures and improved management of resources such as water. Participants also considered the islands as a place to test innovative solutions that could later be used elsewhere.
Industrialised construction was on the agenda amid challenges over productivity and access to housing in the islands. The meeting also examined how artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation could improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized Balearic businesses.
Faster projects and technical skills
Barceló presented the Strategic Projects Acceleration Unit, known by its Spanish initials UAPE. The government said its strategic-project legal designation gives qualifying initiatives institutional support, priority processing and shorter administrative deadlines.
Technical training and keeping skilled workers in the islands were also discussed. Oliver called for greater support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, stronger vocational training and direct links between schools, universities and businesses.
Topics: Education · Politics · Economy
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com