The President of the Government of Spain stresses that the Spanish economy "is resisting the onslaught of uncertainty with strength and solidity"

National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has stressed tonight at the start of the welcome dinner of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2023, held at the National Art Museum of Catalonia, that Spain "is resisting the onslaught of uncertainty with strength and solidity". The event, presided over by H.M. the King, was also attended by the First Vice-President, Nadia Calviño.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, Sánchez stressed that the war is still waging, with terrible consequences for the Ukrainian people, "causing more death, [and] also devastation", and is continuing to impact on the global economy. The chief executive highlighted the strength of the Spanish economy, thanks in large part to measures worth €45 billion, deployed to protect incomes, families and companies. The economy grew by 5.5% in 2022 and the forecasts certify that it will lead growth among the large European countries in 2023. It also has the lowest inflation, although albeit still high, in the entire Eurozone and almost half a million more people employed than a year ago.

The President of the Government also underlined his commitment to the dual ecological and digital transition, going on to highlight "the extraordinarily solid foundations" that Spain has to make digital transformation a strategic axis for modernising the economy. From investment in human capital, with the largest allocation to scholarships and grants - €2.52 million, which will benefit more than one million students, and the new Vocational Training- to its leadership in fibre coverage and the outstanding position in connectivity.

Strategic autonomy and microchips

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, together with the King, Felipe VI, and the First Vice-President, Nadia Calviño, in the family photo of the Mobile World Congress welcome dinner | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

And among the lines of action, where public-private collaboration stands out, the chief executive highlighted the €4 billion of the NextGenerationEU funds, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure in the deployment of networks and cybersecurity, as well as advancing the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises. The government, explained Pedro Sánchez, is reinforcing strategic autonomy in key sectors to achieve the EU target of 20% of its semiconductors to be produced in Europe. Hence the relevance of announcements from multinationals such as Cisco and Intel, which will set up advanced microchip design centres in Barcelona, he said.

Likewise, Pedro Sánchez called for "joining forces and wills" to focus on the progress of "an open, plural and dynamic Catalonia. It is something we must all dedicate ourselves to", he insisted, with the aim of "improving people's lives". The President of the Government thanked His Majesty the King "for his presence at this event, which you never miss; a true expression of commitment to Barcelona, to Catalonia and to the whole of Spain". He also thanked "the commitment of Barcelona City Council, the Generalitat de Catalunya, and those who make it possible to hold this Mobile World Congress".

Non official translation