Navarre has highlighted the strategic importance of its industrial model as a driver of economic development, territorial cohesion and competitiveness at the 8th National Industry Congress, held in Bilbao on 4 and 5 February.
The Regional Minister for Industry, Ecological Transition and Business Digitalisation of the Government of Navarre, Mikel Irujo, took part in the round table entitled “Industry as a driver of the nation”, where he defended the comprehensive approach of Navarre’s productive fabric and its contribution to sustainable and balanced growth.
Navarre: industry as the backbone of the territory
During his address, Irujo stressed that the industrial sector accounts for more than 30% of the region’s Gross Value Added (GVA), well above the national and European averages, underscoring the strength and diversification of Navarre’s business ecosystem.
“The Navarrese model is not just an economic sector; it is the backbone of the territory and of our business identity,” the Minister stated, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of companies in the region.
Competitive strengths and renewable energy
Irujo also emphasised the importance of the industrial ecosystem linked to renewable energy, the automotive sector and advanced agri-food industry—key areas that have driven regional competitiveness. He further underlined the growth of clean energy: in 2024, electricity generation from renewable sources reached 68% of the total and was sufficient to cover 99.3% of final electricity consumption, according to recent data.
Innovation, talent and cooperation
The Minister highlighted the role of innovation, talent and institutional cooperation as pillars of Navarre’s industrial development, referring to the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4) and the synergies between technology centres, universities and business clusters, which act as engines of applied knowledge.
“We have an environment of talent, knowledge and cooperation that fuels our competitiveness and strengthens our projection beyond the national market,” Irujo stated during his intervention.
The event also brought together representatives from other regions and industry stakeholders, reaffirming the importance of sharing experiences and strategies in a context of industrial transformation marked by digitalisation, sustainability and the reconfiguration of value chains.
Source: navarra.es