The Minister of Industry, Eduardo Arasti, presented to entrepreneurs and self-employed people in the region, the different lines of support of his department and of SODERCANArasti emphasized that the total budget for aid this year represents a significant increase compared to previous years. "This increase of 4,3% compared to 2024 and 12% compared to 2023, almost three million euros more, underscores our commitment to the economic development of Cantabria," Arasti stated during the presentation.
One of the highlights of the plan is the allocation of 15 million euros for R&D&I initiatives, distributed between SODERCAN and the Directorate General for Innovation. This focus on innovation reflects the strategy of the Government of Cantabria to promote a high added value production model.
SODERCAN's strategic plan covers several key areas, including business creation, innovation, internationalisation and support for industry. 8.6 million euros have been allocated for innovation, 1.8 million for business creation and 3 million for new markets and internationalisation. In addition, 7.8 million euros have been allocated for aid. IT GROWS and 6.4 million for the lines INNOVA, Industry 4.0 and Innovation Checks.
“We want to ensure that no viable industrial project goes without funding,” explained Councilor Arasti, highlighting the reformulation and increased flexibility of the CRECE grants. “We have moved from a competitive bidding system to direct, immediate, and individual grants, simplifying procedures and streamlining the process.” He also emphasized that the new CRECE grants have no budget limits, project submission periods are open year-round, and the investment justification process is significantly simplified.
During the event, Angel PedrajaThe CEO of SODERCAN, highlighted the importance of the information session for establishing direct contact with the business sector. "Our goal is to ensure that companies and the self-employed are aware of and make the most of the available resources," Pedraja stated.
The information day also included the participation of the general directors of Industry, Jose Luis Ceballos, and Innovation, Javier Puente, who explained the different lines of support from their respective departments. In addition, Alfredo Cuesta and Raquel Manzanares, directors of the Business Creation, Innovation and Business Consolidation Area and New Markets and Internationalization of SODERCAN, respectively, participated to explain the different lines of support.
The Regional Minister for Industry emphasized that "all of this," he said, "is already bearing fruit," as Cantabria achieved the second-best national unemployment figure last month, the best figure in the last 17 years, and the highest number of people employed in the region in its history, creating 5.414 new jobs in the last year. He also noted that "last week the Altamira data center project was presented, with a private investment of 3.600 billion euros, 'a quarter of Cantabria's GDP and the largest private investment in the history of this autonomous community.'"
During the event, mention was made of other important milestones of the Government of Cantabria, such as the processing of more than 5 million square meters of industrial land, the XNUMXst Plan to Support Self-Employment, and the XNUMXst Digital Agenda of Cantabria.
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