Pere Navarro

The world is being transformed and Barcelona has the opportunity to face the challenge and position itself as a world reference for this new reality. At the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) accepting that challenge is built into our DNA. We are a transforming agent. We have the will to lead the way and generate new opportunities for the world that is emerging, and 2021 was a clear example of this. 2021 saw the launch of DFactory Barcelona, a new Industry 4.0 hub in southern Europe, an innovative and first-of-its-kind project in our country, which will attract investment and projects linked to digital industry. In the same spirit of leading the way in key activities, we have also contributed to the promotion of the first green hydrogen filling station for public use in Spain, jointly with TMB. We also participated in the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) of connected electric vehicles and we are clearly commitment to innovation through the 3D Incubator.

2021 was also a year of strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. The fight for gender equality is a strategic objective in this regard. After launching the Women’s Council (Consell de la Dona) with the participation of around fifteen companies from the industrial sector, this year CZFB has launched the first edition of the Barcelona Woman Acceleration Week (BWAW). With the overarching goal of contributing to the advancement of equality, we are convinced that we must take advantage of the talent of the women who make up half of our society. BWAW follows in the wake of another great event initiative, the Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) launched by CZFB, with a successful expanded edition in 2021 that again positioned Barcelona as the global capital of the new economy.

Overall, it was a very positive year. We continue to move forward as a transformational engine, committed to digitisation and innovation and confident that together we can builder a more just society.

There is a great deal of uncertainty in the world today, but CZFB is stronger and more determined than ever, with the capacity to contribute to the creation of new, innovative companies as well as high quality jobs. We will continue to work under this mandate.