Borja Sánchez, Minister of Science, Innovation and University, argues that Asturias’ economic transformation must go hand in hand with innovation, excellent research, cutting-edge technological advancement, and an increase in staff dedicated to R&D and innovation that help create wealth. All of this includes promoting public-private collaboration, promoting policies to retain and attract talent, and encouraging investment in R&D and innovation.
If you had to talk about the advantages of Asturias as an investment destination, which ones would you highlight?
Undoubtedly, the strong science and technology ecosystem, which is a very important feature: We are a community of small size; But at the same time, the Central Metropolitan Region of Asturias is the seventh largest settlement in Spain, making it possible to quickly pilot and scale innovative initiatives. Within this ecosystem we have a university of excellence, a productive body that is increasingly interested in innovation; A growing community of tech-based companies and big companies that are starting to see Asturias as a community where they can build their R&D centres.
What are the industries of the future? Where is the economic transformation headed?
We are clear on the five axes we need to turn this economic transformation from innovation in our Smart Specialization Strategy (S3): agri-food, energy, industry, biomedical sector, and heritage and biodiversity, all focused on healthy aging. Asturias has three pillars to start a transformation cycle: it has administrative tools in the form of an innovation agency adapted to the characteristics of R&D and innovation, Innovation Plan 2023- with increased funding approved by Brussels and supported by Science, Technology and European funds. 2027.
For what purposes was the Science, Business Competitiveness and Innovation Agency created and what will it mean for R&D in Beylik?
The agency will act as a one-stop shop for R&D and innovation calls and programmes. Unique, broad regulatory foundations will be created on which calls for R&D, innovation, transfer and training, talent attraction and retention can be incorporated. Thus, Asturias takes the step of linking the concepts of economic promotion and innovation to support the socioeconomic transformation that is currently taking place. We will create a unique model of public-private cooperation with the agency in different regions. We must solidify the path to budget growth, and for this we need programs that transcend legislatures, programs that link R&D and innovation programs, and of course a mechanism that allows all budgeted funds to be invested.
What does it take to improve the Principality’s position in R&D+i?
The change we have experienced in Asturian R+D+i is indisputable, but it is a fact that time is needed. What we need is for our investment to grow until we have enough private sector R&D centers and enough innovative SMEs to generate the one-half or two percent of GDP we target on their own. The economy of Asturias is already quite innovative compared to the economies around us, but we have to close the value chains that are intensive in R&D.
The Asturias Government has chosen the university as the central axis of its policies, with a program contract that it describes as historic.
Yes, there is no doubt a historic agreement that guarantees the budgetary stability of the academic institution for six years, which can be extended for another four years. Ten years in total. The University of Oviedo will receive more than 1,000 million Euros in the first six years. This allows the public university to focus on being the catalyst for the profound socio-economic change our region is going through.
They started a campaign on remote working. Why should a digital nomad choose Asturias?
Quality of life, nature, security, connectivity, housing prices… This recommendation is based on the fact that Asturias meets the requirements to attract these digital nomads and teleworkers. Asturias has an ideal environment and location to attract all (national/international) remote workers who see it as a place to live. The principality has already been defined as a region to visit, and we must make the leap so that it is also a region to study.
How long until we reach hyperconnected Asturias?
As we are in ministry, we have already received the competitively raised 54 million for investment in broadband distribution. And we just learned that in the latest UNICO Plan we will receive an additional 7 million euros for the deployment of fiber optics. Each month that passes is one less month to move towards these hyper-connected Asturias, but it should be noted that this is the deployment of an infrastructure and therefore it takes time to manage permits with all relevant administrations.
Parliament has a few months left. How do you balance your work at the head of the Ministry of Science?
I strike a very positive balance. Endless synergies have been created between representatives who have never cooperated before and have led to nearly ready innovative public procurement from the Principality’s two Scientific Missions, restructuring of CDTLs, stabilization of the Science Agency, university funding, “Severo Ochoa” call, talent pull calls, satellite link pilot programs, digital nomads campaign, all calls funded by complementary R&D plans, mining rehabilitation more innovative uses, all public-private sector projects emerging during the pandemic process, citizen science, the first Science and Innovation Fair, smart specialization strategy… I think the Ministry of Science has catalyzed a lot of transformative, positive action. prioritized science and innovation. political debate These are not optional policies, as no one doubts that science and innovation are the only guarantees of preserving our welfare state.