Economic Development Initiatives Take Shape in Pays Basque
The Pays Basque is enhancing economic development through strategic initiatives targeting key sectors and addressing land shortages.
Key Points
- • CAPB emphasizes sectoral priorities including digital technology and sustainable construction.
- • Over €2.8 million in financial aid has supported 230 companies since 2017.
- • Land development remains a challenge; CAPB introduces construction leases to facilitate growth.
- • CAPB aims to increase visibility and collaboration in the regional economy.
The Pays Basque region is actively pursuing strategic economic development initiatives under the guidance of the Community Agglomeration Pays Basque (CAPB), focusing on enhancing local industry viability and addressing significant land development challenges. Sylvie Durruty, the vice-president responsible for economic development, stressed that since the formation of the CAPB in 2017, the local economy has been a priority, shaping a series of sector-specific strategies leading up to 2030.
CAPB's new economic development framework emphasizes sectors such as digital technology, aeronautics, sustainable construction, the blue economy, agriculture-agrofood, health industries, and crafts. Each sector will receive dedicated actions and roadmaps, reflecting a proactive approach to regional economic growth. Durruty highlighted land shortages as a critical issue faced by businesses, resulting from protracted environmental assessments and public inquiries. In response, CAPB introduced approximately twenty construction leases aimed at streamlining development processes, particularly in areas like Irissarry.
Currently, the community boasts 17 hectares of available land, which they aim to enhance to 50 hectares within the next five years. However, regional development still struggles with the amount of land available. CAPB is addressing this issue through plans to repurpose industrial wastelands, with three such sites slated for development.
In collaboration with various institutions, CAPB has stepped up its efforts to improve visibility and effectiveness in the regional economy. Since 2017, the community has provided financial support totaling €2.8 million to 230 companies, facilitating an influx of around €43 million in private investments. CAPB now screens projects based on economic viability and ecological scores to refine its support selection process. Furthermore, innovation workshops are being implemented to recognize local achievements, alongside the continued development of collective projects across 148 communes beyond coastal areas.