Poland and the Basque Country – European innovators join forces

The event was opened by Mikel Jauregi, Minister of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Basque Government; Poland’s Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański and Monika Krzepkowska - Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Madrid. In their speeches, they emphasized the role of cooperation between Poland and the Basque Country in rebuilding Europe's economic competitiveness, as well as stopping the process of its deindustrialization. They also spoke about the challenges of the modern global economy and the key role of partnerships based on mutual trust, which allow both parties to develop together.

Panel discussions focused on the future - renewable energy, mobility, space, aviation and dual-use technology. The discussions were accompanied by dozens of B2B meetings between Polish and Basque companies.

The key moment of the meeting was the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between PAIH and Basque Trade & Investment. The agreement, signed on behalf of the Agency by its Chairman Andrzej Dycha, will allow both sides to intensify activities for investment, innovation and technology transfer between Poland and the Basque Country.

Today's agreement between PAIH and Basque Trade & Investment provides the foundation for intensifying and optimising cooperation between the two agencies in key sectors with high added value. I believe that our in-depth cooperation will support companies from both countries even more effectively - said Andrzej Dycha, Chairman of PAIH’s Management Board.

The document includes the following, promotion of foreign direct investment, the exchange of information and best practices, the organization of institutional visits and business missions, The plans also include the promotion of cooperation between Poland and Basque companies in strategic sectors, such as:

• high-end industry, automotive, aerospace and dual-use technologies,
• energy and green economy, with particular emphasis on offshore wind energy,
• industry 4.0, including artificial intelligence, digitalization and cybersecurity,
• biotechnology and healthcare,
• smart cities and sustainable infrastructure such as rail systems, ports and airports.

Imanol Pradales, Head of the Basque Country’s Government, stressed during the forum that it will only be possible to guarantee the competitiveness of the continent's industry if we join forces, look for new synergies and work in the same direction.

The Basque Country is the industrial heart of Spain and a "strong innovator" according to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025 (its innovation score exceeded the EU average of 108.1%). It is a solid industrial base for Spain. The industrial sector accounts for more than 20% of the Basque economy, reaching a level much higher than the Spanish average. Polish companies have a chance to become an integral part of this innovation ecosystem.

The event, organized in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Madrid and Basque Trade & Investment, was under the patronage of the Polish Ministry of Development and Technology.

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