Member Profile

Asturias

Presentation of the Region

Asturias is in the northern coast of Spain and has a population of over one million inhabitants. Our gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is about twenty-two thousand Euros (23,000€).  Speaking about the gross value added by sectors, what is more significant to us is the weight of the industry sector in comparison with the Spanish.  

One of the main keys to understanding the uniqueness of our region lies in considering the balance between a privileged natural setting (33 % protected) and a deep-rooted industrial culture based on core industry and manufacturing. Unique companies that produce materials such as steel, zinc, glass or cement are located in its central area. In particular, the metallurgical sector is the most characteristic of the region, key due to its ability to drive and push the rest of the productive activities.

The branches of activity that contribute most to industrial turnover are the metal industry, energy and the agri-food sector. The sector of metal, grouped around the Steel hub, has been, and remains, one of the main pillars of the Asturian economy. This sector moved away from traditional, semi-manufactured products towards others that offered added value, addressing specialised energy and transport markets.

Asturias possesses two large industrial ports, the Port of Gijon and the Port of Aviles, particularly advantageous for international traffic between the American continent, Northern Europe and Africa. Asturias Logistical and Industria

RIS3 Priorities

Asturias RIS3 2014-2020 has selected 16 thematic priorities that respond to regional strengths in terms of scientific-technological knowledge and / or industrial capacities.

Asturias RIS3, not only contemplates the themes on which to focus innovation policies, but also establishes an action plan and a monitoring and evaluation mechanism. The actions and expected results, as well as the associated priorities, are structured around three objectives:

Objective 1. Business leadership through technology

Objective 2: Market orientation and diversification

Objective 3: New model of land management

We are currently working on S3 21-27. More information here: https://www.idepa.es/innovacion/asturias-ris3

Regional Contact Persons
David González Fernández

General Manager the Institute of Economic Development of the Principality of Asturias

Paz Palacio

Innovation Policy advisor

Brussels Contact Persons
Remedios Bordiu Cienfuegos

Reperesentative of Asturias in Brussels

Regional Address

Ablanal Street, 53 plot
Asturias Tecnology Park
33428 Oviedo Asturias
Spain

Brussels Office Address

52 Boulevard du Régent (REPER)
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Vanguard Initiative Annual Political Meeting: Regional Ministers and Representatives shape the Network’s Future Strategic

On 21st November 2019 in Brussels, the Vanguard Initiative’s Annual Political Meeting (APM) took place, with Regional Ministers and senior representatives from Vanguard Initiative’s 36 Member Regio