Study visit in Basque Country

The visit allowed the representatives of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (region) Self-Government to learn more of the activity of the agency for development SPRI, the partnership financed by Basque Country Government. SPRI was presented by Mrs Armida Lara, Internationalisation Director of EVE, the agency for energy of  Basque Touru, the unit promoting tourism in the Basque Country.

The visitors went to Zamudio Technology Park, Tecnalia Technology Centre and CEDEMI, the centre supporting the development of companies. Another interesting event was the meeting with Mr Juan Ignacio Goicolea, the Deputy-Minister of Innovation and Technology of Basque Country and the Director of the Department for Innovation. Mrs Anna Dutkiewicz from Basque Country Technological Innovation Sector presented economic situation, development and internationalisation of the region.

The Lower Silesians had also a chance to see technolgy parks including the oldest, 25-year one, and innovative solutions that opened the way to the region's dynamic development and successful fight with 30 percent unemployment back in the beginning of the 90s. Unemployment rate in Basque Country is 9 percent now and only 5 percent before the crunch in 2008. The Basque consider innovation and internationalisation of companies (which means their extra-regional promotion) to be the best path of development.

Study visit to Basque Country is a part of P4G – Partnership for Good, the project co-financed by Norwegian Financial Mechanism. The venture aims at enhancing the effectiveness of regional policy management and promotion of Lower Silesian Voivodeship (region) development. The project includes language courses, training sessions, seminars, working group meetings, conferences, summer school and study visits.

The following regions participate in the project: Alsace (France), Basque Country (Spain), Emilia Romania (Italy), Kirovohrad (Ukarine), Stiria (Austria), West Midlands (UK) and Lower Silesia.

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