Industrial sector could generate 200,000 new jobs in Catalonia by 2018

Barcelona (ACN).- Catalonia has the capacity to generate 200,000 new jobs in the industrial sector from now to 2018 in a good economic context. This is the main conclusion of the “Catalan Industry Forecast 2018” study presented today by the Catalan Ministry of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise, and written by the consulting firm BIPE. The analysis studies the industrial sector’s behaviour in 4 different scenarios depending on the economic context. In the best scenario, Catalonia could generate 200,000 jobs by 2018 and the industrial added value would grow at an annual rate of 1.9%.

The study also stresses that the Catalan industrial sector must adapt to changes in the world economy in the years to come. However, it reassures the sector by saying that it is not too late and that Catalan companies have the assets to do so. The Catalan Government’s Secretary for Industry and Business, Antoni Soy, stated that, “the industry, and more concretely employment within the industrial sector, are not condemned. Jobs in this sector will still be needed”.

After the study’s presentation there was a debate between the applied economics professor at the University of Barcelona, Maria Callejón, the President of Applus, Joaquim Coello, and the Executive President of the La Salle Business and Engineering School, Ramon Ollé. All of the participants underlined the need for the Catalan Government to implement an active industrial policy, which is even more important in the current economic crisis. They also criticised what they consider an excess of regulation by the EU, as it undermines EU industrial sector’s competitiveness in comparison to emerging countries.