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02. Yacht marina Cala D'Or. Mallorca, Balearic islands.


The Balearic Islands have a young, highly skilled, well trained and extremely motivated workforce. Human resources production is cur- rently in full expansion in the islands. A vital role is played by the Balearic Islands University, which offers a wide variety of professional de- grees to satisfy the needs for specialists in all areas of business and industry. The Balearic’s commitment to the training and education of its human capital has led the region to become one of Spain’s leading autonomous communities. Its human capital activity rate is also one of the highest in Spain. The Balearic Islands have a consolidated


production sector that is coordinated through an extensive network of industrial parks that pro- duce footwear, clothing, fashion accessories, fashion jewellery and processed foods. Leading companies in these sectors have set up head- quarters in the Balearics, alongside the multina- tional corporations of the tourism industry. Initiatives have been launched to take full ad- vantage of the potential of telecommunications in an aim to attract clean industries and activities with high added value in the areas associated with scientific research. One of the primary sources of the Islands’


outreach to the knowledge society is the Balearic Technological Innovation Park. The natural set- ting of the park is a privileged backdrop for re- search and development, which accounts for much of the park’s activity. The park also houses a technology business incubator, which serves professors, researchers and entrepreneurs and offers them the opportunity to generate technol- ogy-based spin-offs. Due to their infrastructure and beautiful nat-


ural setting, the Balearic Islands are the ideal backdrop to combine business with pleasure. With stunning beaches and scenery, they are the perfect location for meetings and conventions. There a wide variety of activities for groups to enjoy, and each of the five islands provides a very different experience. Fine dining with great service and hotel and conference facilities are a given.


The islands boast a strategic position in


Spain’s most dynamic area. Just across the water, Barcelona, a city with more than 2,000 years of history, is the principal Euro-Mediter- ranean metropolis. It is the economic, cultural and administrative capital of Catalonia and one of the principal motors of activity in Spain and the European Union. Its privileged location, two hours from France by road and well connected


New European Economy


to the major cities of Europe, makes it one of the favourite destinations for international invest- ment in southern Europe. With a long industrial tradition and a strong


entrepreneurial fabric, Barcelona is committed to a knowledge-intensive economy and activi- ties, especially advanced services and new eco- nomic activities. The growth model for the 21st century is increasingly based on services, where new projects are more knowledge-intensive and employ highly qualified workers. In this regard, Barcelona is in a process of


orderly transition to a knowledge economy that will provide a response to future challenges. Ad- vanced activities such as services to companies, cultural industries, audio-visual production, infor- mation and communication technologies, biotech- nology and the sustainable-mobility industry and aeronautics are on the rise in Barcelona. An important driver of innovation is the


Barcelona Science Park, which was the first sci- ence park in Spain and is an international point of reference today in the promotion of innova- tion. With more than 2,000 professionals work- ing there, the park aims to manage effectively and efficiently the spaces that the University of Barcelona has allocated for its development. It provides quality services to its clients and users that facilitate the transfer of knowledge between the university and the research and business sectors.


One success story from the park is SOM


Biotech. SOM was established in the park with the mission to discover and develop new indi- cations of already known drugs through a prof- itable private company committed to its shareholders, employees and society. Reposi- tioned drug access implies discovering, pre-clin- ical validation, patenting and licensing already known drugs for their commercial use in un- known medical uses. SOM’s proprietary virtual screening platform is based on a computerized approach, and the drug development is driven by a dedicated team of experts and strategy ad- visors.


Barcelona has extensive links to the


Balearics, which themselves have an extensive transport network that facilitates local connec- tions. Barcelona and the Balearic Islands are a leading cultural haven thanks to their rich his- torical legacy, as well as their architecture and heritage, which gives them a special personality and charm. This explains the innovative spirit that permeates the region and positions it as a benchmark for international culture.


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