Autonomous Communities: Galicia. Galicia's international projection is key to its economic development

The Galician economy experienced average growth of 3,5% during the period 1996-2002, according to data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Xunta de Galicia.

Its regional minister, José Antonio Orza, explains that "this strong pace enabled a convergence of 2,1 points in GDP per capita, so that it went from 80,2% in 1995 to 82,3% in 2002. In seven years, 2,1 points were cut, which is equivalent to an average of 3 tenths per year, while with reference to Europe, the gap was reduced at a rate of 1,9 points per year."

The Galician community is focusing its economic policy on accelerating the pace of convergence with Spain and Europe through the measures adopted after the Prestige disaster.

"Our economy is a modern economy, which invests more than 25% of its GDP and exports 25% of its GDP to the most advanced countries. It is an economy in which industry represents 19% of GDP and services 54%," the economic minister points out.

The growth strategy adopted by the Galician government consists of strengthening the economy by improving its physical, human, and technological capital. In this regard, José Antonio Orza states: "We want to emphasize certain aspects, such as foreign policy, improving our competitiveness, promoting the knowledge society, boosting tourism, and strengthening the service sector."

To achieve these objectives, the budget allocated for 2004 will increase public capital by 24,14%, compared to 2003.

Currently, the Ministry of Economy bases its economic policy priorities on three aspects, according to the Minister, which have a clear impact on the population: "the creation of new and improved infrastructure, policies to increase the competitiveness of our companies, and actions to strengthen social welfare, particularly care for the elderly, support for families, and assistance for the most disadvantaged."