Interview with Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labour

26 Mar Interview with Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labour

Could you share the history behind Catalonia’s emergence as an industrial power in Europe?

Catalonia was pivotal in the First Industrial Revolution. It has always been a region where industrial activity is a key reference point; industry is an important tradition for the Catalan population. In the last century, the textile sector was a key industry and employer for the region. When a crisis in the textile sector coincided with the energy crisis of 1973, many changes occurred. We transitioned from textiles to being a benchmark in the automotive industry, not only in the manufacturing of cars through major local players like SEAT but also in the manufacturing of components such as upholstery and so on. Catalonia has always held an important role in the industrial world, adapting and transforming based on observed needs in local and international markets.

Which key industries is the new government prioritizing in its upcoming reindustrialization plan?

The work carried out by the previous government is commendable. They implemented a National Industry Plan for 2022–2025, which concludes this year. It encompasses 150 planned actions with a budget of $3.29 billion. The actions outlined in the budget have been fulfilled by approximately 90%. In the public sector, there is often a gap between what is promised and what is achieved. However, this is not the case. The previous plan has laid a solid foundation for what we believe will be the upcoming industrial plan. We will focus on consolidating our strengths, such as Catalonia’s automotive, metallurgy, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. We will also focus on the emerging biotech sector that backs the pharmaceutical industry in developing medications tested on animals before being used on humans. We are also focusing on our significant new technologies sector, which has grown rapidly in importance with around 3,000 new jobs created every month. This level of job creation is enormous considering Catalonia has 8 million inhabitants. We have two important technology centers in Catalonia: Eurecat Technology Center in Barcelona and Leitat Technological Center in Terrassa. These hubs — one larger and one smaller — provide the foundation for conducting biotechnology studies that transition into pharmacology. The next industrial plan aims to transform these industries into even more successful ones.

What key factors have enabled Catalonia to emerge as a leading producer of world-class talent?

In the first decade of this century, the local government made significant investments in research. We have many universities and technical schools such as the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, which has multiple campuses. This investment caused Catalonia to generate a high talent level and stand out on the international stage. Today, we can proudly say we are on par with countries like Germany and the United Kingdom in terms of talent. Companies like Intel and Cisco have invested in Catalonia due to our talent and focus on development and research. The region’s high digitization rate would not have been possible without the investment made in research. Between 2000 and 2010, significant resources were allocated to lay the groundwork for what we have today. We also have the world-class Barcelona Supercomputing Center and host world-renowned events like the Mobile World Congress and the audiovisual sector’s Integrated Systems Europe, all stemming from commitments made 15 years ago to invest in talent. We are now positioned to take on greater challenges because we have the people capable of tackling them. However, there continues to exist a significant talent gap. While we have a wealth of highly trained professionals, we must bridge the divide by fostering learning opportunities between skilled individuals and those at different levels such as mid-level industrial leaders, CEOs, directors and area managers.

What initiatives are in place to help small and medium-sized enterprises scale and make a significant market impact?

One of the biggest challenges is transforming small companies into medium or large enterprises. Catalonia has a strong entrepreneurial tradition that is traditionally larger than the rest of Spain. Entrepreneurship is a defining characteristic of Catalonia, resulting in the creation of many startups. We want this trend to continue. Combined with our previously mentioned high level of talent, our entrepreneurial potential is made even more powerful. If a startup’s idea is beneficial to the economy, we aim to help it expand. Our goal is for these companies to keep growing. The Catalan government is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and helping them grow.

What measures is the government implementing to balance tourism growth while minimizing its impact on citizens?

The current tourism law dates back to 2002 when tourism was vastly different from what it is today. The law needs to change, which requires consensus in the Catalan parliament. Given the current circumstances in parliament, achieving this consensus involves significant preparatory work. It is not easy to do without a large government majority. We must work to build consensus with all political forces. The legal framework must adapt to the present moment. Equally important is a new law regarding our territorial plan. Tourism in Barcelona is not the same as in the Pyrenees, for example. Catalonia is fortunate to have one of the best coastlines in Europe, including the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, and mountains that are now covered in snow. The region boasts a dozen peaks measuring more than 3,000 meters in height along with beautiful rural areas and five natural parks. Barcelona is only an hour away from these popular coasts, the Pyrenees and nearby regions. Our new plan should not treat all tourist areas similarly and should provide each with the specific approaches they require. It is also important to extend tourism beyond the summer season. Climate change has resulted in good weather that lasts longer, which allows for a longer tourism season.

Transformations we are implementing to make Catalonia a sustainable destination include promoting not just summer beach tourism but an emphasis on natural areas, parks and sports tourism. We host cycling competitions and marathons. Additionally, we are focusing on tourism for older adults and cultural tourism that extends beyond Barcelona. Catalonia is also a world-class gastronomic destination. We are at the center of global gastronomy and have been named the World Gastronomy Region of 2025. Renowned chefs like Ferran Adrià and José Andrés who own several restaurants in New York are among our key representatives. We have 68 Michelin stars and have been home to three of 2024’s best restaurants in the world. The current best restaurant, Disfrutar, is located in Barcelona. These are remarkable achievements for such a small region.

How significant is US involvement in driving Catalonia’s economic growth?

The United States is an extremely important partner for Catalonia. Two months ago, I met with the consul in Barcelona to emphasize this point and express our desire to strengthen ties. We are fully aware that the USA is ahead of us technologically speaking, despite our high level of talent. Our collaboration with the United States must increase. We are currently waiting to see what kind of relationship we can establish with the new Trump administration; it is critical we identify potential synergies with the USA once the situation stabilizes. We plan to make a trip to the USA to explore opportunities for increasing American investments in Catalonia. The talent we have here can support many US initiatives. The level of collaboration is already high. For example, Intel is set to invest in Barcelona and Cisco will open a semiconductor design center in the region, the first of its kind in the European Union. We have a well-established ecosystem for semiconductors and related talent. Additionally, there are currently 3,100 Catalan companies exporting to the USA, with a total export value of $3.76 billion.

How would you evaluate the ease of doing business for investors in Catalonia regarding bureaucracy and the availability of industrial infrastructure?

Catalonia’s industry and economy are evolving.  If someone wants to set up a business in Catalonia, they need to consider where to establish it. For this reason, it is critical we respond quickly and showcase our industrial lands in Barcelona, Sabadell, Girona and other areas to any foreign investment inquiries. We are working hard to make this happen. Depending on the type of company, we need to recommend specific areas. Ownership of land is divided into three categories in Catalonia: public land controlled by the local government, which is fully under our control; public land owned by municipalities, which is largely under our control; and private land. In the latter case, we are working swiftly to provide immediate responses. In terms of infrastructure, Catalonia also boasts excellent connectivity via roads and railways. We have a high-speed train linking Barcelona and Madrid, and it takes less than an hour to travel from Barcelona to Tarragona and Girona and a little more to Lleida. Beyond this, we have a network of roads that facilitates fast transportation and two major ports, the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Tarragona. Barcelona Airport offers direct flights to the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Dallas and Chicago. For non-direct flights, there are always easy connections through Madrid. Catalonia is well connected to Europe, the United States and the internal region.

What are your ultimate goals as the Minister of Business and Labour, and what major challenges must be addressed to realize this vision?

The challenges we face today — particularly in forming a digital democracy — require us to work together to establish a strong ethical framework and ensure that digital democracy functions effectively. We must advance toward a fair digital society where everyone can participate and thrive. We must also address urgent issues caused by climate change. We have seen the impact of these challenges locally. We faced severe droughts in 2024. The Mediterranean climate, which traditionally brings rain in spring and autumn, has shifted significantly. In response, the government is undertaking some of the most ambitious initiatives to reduce dependence on rainfall, including regenerating water resources and desalinating seawater.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that as many Catalans as possible enjoy a good quality of life. For that to happen, there must be jobs, and jobs require companies. My primary objective is to foster the creation of businesses, not only maintaining the companies we already have but creating an environment that allows new ones to thrive. Visiting the USA to explore new opportunities is a key part of this strategy. Apart from this, it is important to highlight that life in Catalonia is exceptional. We enjoy an outstanding climate, beautiful beaches, stunning mountains and some of the best food in the world. It is a good place to visit, a good place to live and an excellent place to invest.