The regional minister for Economy and Industry, María Jesús Lorenzana, described the ICT sector as indispensable, stating that it not only drives innovation but also serves as the infrastructure that enables other sectors to innovate. "When ICT innovates, it transforms industry, medicine, education, security, and defence, impacting our daily lives," she remarked.
This statement was made during her speech at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Galician Technology Companies Association (Ineo). Lorenzana highlighted that the objective of the ICT Industry Master Plan, approved by the Xunta in June with a budget of €62 million, is to continue strengthening this ecosystem in Galicia, as it is crucial for the competitiveness and growth of the Galician economy.
She noted the transformative impact of ICT on other industries, particularly in security and defence, where many disruptive technologies are being developed by ICT companies. In this context, she announced that the ICT sector will play a significant role in the Security, Defence and Aerospace Strategy (Iesda), aiming to transfer civil innovations into security and defence applications, positioning Galicia as a region capable of developing, manufacturing, and exporting high-value technology.
Additionally, considering the role of technology in businesses, the Xunta is finalising the first Galician Business Innovation Strategy, which will be closely linked to ICT, ensuring that all Galician companies have the opportunity and resources to digitalise.
Since 2020, the ICT sector in Galicia has grown by 21%, with 4,000 new professionals joining the 3,108 companies operating in this field within the autonomous community. Currently, there are 23,467 affiliated individuals, representing a 20% increase compared to six years ago. It is also worth noting that Galicia ranks as the sixth autonomous community in entrepreneurship, with 229 startups and 15 scaleups, which Lorenzana attributed to the strength of the local ICT sector.
