Patricio Valverde Megías, Minister of Science, Technology, Industry and Commerce of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, addresses in the interview granted to Moneda Única the current situation of Murcian companies in terms of exports, in addition to confirming the fundamental role that new technologies are playing at this time, led by e-commerce and the projects planned for this year, which include the construction of four combined cycle power plants in Escombreras or those related to the use of renewable energies.
Exports in the Region of Murcia are growing even above the national average
– What do you think foreign trade means for companies in Murcia? How would you encourage companies to enter the foreign market?
Over the past few years, organizations such as the Chambers of Commerce and the Regional Government of Murcia, through the Institute for Development, have made a significant effort to raise awareness among many companies about the need to seek alternative markets. This effort has had positive effects, as we have indeed seen exports increasing year after year, with this growth in Murcia even double the national average. In 2001, exports totaled approximately €3.500 billion, representing a 9,4% increase, while Spain as a whole grew by 4,5% compared to 2000. Therefore, the number of exporting companies is increasing, and the range of products is also diversifying. We are very pleased to see that, in addition to Murcia's traditional major export sectors of agri-food products, significant exports are emerging in the plastics and pharmaceutical sectors. Furthermore, the machinery sector has increased its share of international trade by 47% in the last year.
On the other hand, it must be said that our export structure has been heavily focused on European and US markets. Five or six countries account for almost 70% of our exports, and we are also looking to diversify to include more destination countries. We are working through our Business Promoter service with 18 countries, where our companies partner with these offices to open new markets.
– The importance of the canning industry in the Region of Murcia is well known, what role is it playing at the moment? What is its prominence in and outside of Spain?
We are talking about an industry with over 100 years of history and of paramount importance within the Region's industrial sector. However, we are currently witnessing how factors such as technology transfer, the incorporation of innovation and technology into production processes, and the search for new products are taking hold among business owners. All of this allows the industry to maintain its production levels, increase employment, and boost exports. The sector's gross value added increased by more than 45% from 1996 to 1999; similarly, productivity grew by almost 40% during these four years, two and a half times the national average. In 1999, Murcia's canning industries exported almost 71.000 billion pesetas, representing a third of the Region's industrial exports, and employing more than 12% of the industrial workforce in Murcia—specifically, 8.500 jobs. Furthermore, it represents a quarter of the total canning industry in Spain. We can add that it catalyzes other industries around it, such as packaging, transport, etc.
In short, I believe it is a fundamental sector within our economy and our export structure.
"E-commerce is proving to be a new weapon for the company within its marketing structure."
– You have stated on several occasions that new information technologies are fundamental to achieving optimal economic growth and creating employment. How is the Region of Murcia adapting to these technologies?
New technologies are playing a decisive role in the development of the Region of Murcia. Today, the future development of our towns and villages will come not only from the perspective of new infrastructure but also from new technologies. The Regional Government is aware of this and is making a significant effort in this regard. We are talking about projects that aim to introduce and apply new technologies for both citizens and businesses; these are the two primary targets of the government's initiatives to promote new technologies.
In the first phase, we focused on developing technological infrastructure, specifically telecommunications. From 2001 to 2003, we anticipated an investment of approximately 14.000 billion pesetas from all levels of government and operators, with the goal of expanding basic mobile phone and radio/television signal coverage to the entire population. Now that this is underway, we want to encourage our citizens and businesses to use these new technologies. To this end, we are offering direct support to businesses through the Electronic Commerce Plan, launched last year and continuing into 2002, and through the Information Development Plan, a project we have invested heavily in, with investments exceeding 30.000 billion pesetas. The objective is to motivate, raise awareness of, and promote the use of these new technologies.
What encourages us to continue along this path is that in the actions carried out in recent years we see how the ratios are growing at a spectacular rate, so that in the evolution of Internet users in the Region of Murcia, according to the estimates of March made by the General Media Study, it is 19,6%, while in the year 2000 we were at 8%, and as far as electronic commerce is concerned, the latest data from the INE places the Region three points above the national average.
Economic situation of the Region of Murcia
Exports in Murcia during 2001 amounted to approximately 3.500 billion euros.
The gross value added of the Canning Industry sector increased by more than 45% during the period 1996-1999.
• In 1999, the Murcian canning industries exported almost 71.000 billion pesetas.
• From 2001 to 2003 we foresee an investment of around 14.000 billion pesetas to extend the coverage of basic mobile phone and radiotelevision signals to the entire population.
• An investment of around 250.000 billion pesetas is planned for the development of energy infrastructure.
– What role do you think e-commerce will play in the coming years?
E-commerce is also proving to be a new weapon for companies within their marketing structure. We consider it as yet another tool to add to an organization's marketing strategy. We are truly talking about an instrument with extraordinary potential, since it doesn't limit markets, and therefore, expectations are much higher. That's why we launched, for the first time last year and are repeating it this year, a development and support plan for e-commerce with subsidies for companies, so they can incorporate new technologies not only into their management but also take advantage of the opportunities this new sales channel offers. The 13,7% usage of e-commerce, compared to the national average of 10,8%, is a figure that encourages us to continue with this line of support, which is in high demand.
"The three priority areas highlighted by the Ministry are support for innovation, the introduction of new technologies, and further development of e-commerce."
– What projects do you intend to undertake during 2002 within the catalog of powers attributed to your department? What are the main tasks to be undertaken urgently?
The Regional Ministry has a wide range of responsibilities encompassing science and research; innovation and technology; industry, energy, and mining; commerce; crafts; and general economic development, which includes the work carried out through the Development Institute. Within this broad scope, I would say that the vast majority of our actions are directed toward economic development. In accordance with the guidelines of regional economic policy, this involves supporting businesses, as this is how wealth and employment are created. This support includes assistance from financial, economic, commercial, training, and other perspectives.
In this regard, the three priority areas to highlight are: supporting innovation in production processes; secondly, introducing new technologies; and finally, strengthening foreign trade. An important area to emphasize in relation to this topic is attracting investment, as we are aware that we need to diversify our industrial base, as I mentioned earlier. To this end, we are working to attract companies from high value-added and high-technology sectors.
The councilor presented the results for the Murcia region within the framework of the III Forum of Murcian Companies.
Another project in which the Government is particularly interested, even concerned, is the development of energy infrastructure, both electricity and gas. While we have seen exports grow, even exceeding the national average, we are also seeing electricity consumption in the Region of Murcia increase at a rate similarly above the national average. This is undoubtedly a consequence of economic development, which necessitates initiating an energy planning process encompassing generation, transmission, and distribution.
The government maintains excellent relations with the operators, with investment projects totaling over 250.000 billion pesetas. These projects include the planned construction of four combined-cycle power plants in Escombreras, which will generate electricity using natural gas; a regasification plant in Escombreras with investments exceeding 150.000 billion pesetas; furthermore, Red Eléctrica de España (REE) is planning investments of over 15.000 billion pesetas for the distribution of this energy throughout Spain from Escombreras; and finally, with Iberdrola, projects to improve the distribution network, a particularly important aspect. We aim to improve both the electricity supply and its quality in Murcia. To this end, the region's main operator has proposed a series of investments totaling approximately 42.000 billion pesetas for the coming years. As can be seen, there are many projects already underway that will represent a significant advance in this sector.
The Mediterranean axis was the most dynamic area in terms of economic growth during 2001. Murcia ranks sixth nationally, with an estimated GDP growth of 3,07%.
And I don't want to finish without mentioning initiatives related to renewable energies, specifically wind and solar power, where we have numerous projects that will allow us to compensate for the geographical limitations of greater hydroelectric power development.
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