Gran Canaria stands out at the World Aquaculture Conference in Ecuador for its potential as a testbed
Gran Canaria stood out as a testbed at the World Aquaculture Conference held in Ecuador - a country which invoices 2 billion Euros per year in this sector - thanks to its potential as a testbed for the aquaculture and marine biotechnology industries.
The commercial expedition that travelled to Guayaquil, in Ecuador, was led by the Councillor for Economic Development of the Island Council (Cabildo) of Gran Canaria, Raúl García Brink, who was accompanied by representatives of the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) and of the Primary Sector and Food Sovereignty Office of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, by a technician from the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) and a director from the firm Langostino Real based in the town of Ingenio.
The Cabildo organised a day session to reveal the business opportunities Gran Canaria offers to the aquaculture and marine biotechnology industries, which was attended by representatives of the leading companies in the industry. The expedition from Gran Canaria also learnt about the work carried out at the prawn nurseries run by Biogemar, which signed an agreement with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to share knowledge and technology to genetically improve larvae.
During the visit, García Brink, announced that the Cabildo of Gran Canaria is considering the possibility of starting an R&D&I project with companies from Gran Canaria and Ecuador, which would have the collaboration of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and would help "boost the rearing of larvae and supplying the emerging European market".
Some Ecuadorean companies in the prawn industry stated that they do not rule out diversifying their activities within the territory of the European Union, "focused on the production of a distinct product and with a high added value as is the case with fresh prawn", added the Councillor.
Gran Canaria is promoting itself as a marine biotechnology business platform in Canada
A delegation from Gran Canaria of representatives of the Island Council's Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC) and the Spanish Algae Bank (BEA) attended the Biomarine Convention in Canada to promote Gran Canaria as a marine biotechnology business platform.
Under the umbrella of the brand 'Best in Gran Canaria', the delegation was able to contact over twenty companies to share information about the attractions of the island for companies to set up business there, such as its tax benefits, climate, air connectivity and its proximity to Africa, which sparked the interest of international investors due to the infrastructure and business and research potential the island offers.
Gran Canaria is known as a centre for scientific institutions such as the Spanish Algae Bank, the Canary Islands Technological Institute and the Ecoaqua University Institute, which are an international benchmark for the algae biotechnology sector. The Spanish Algae Bank located in Telde, has a collection of over 1,600 strains from the macaronesic region and participates in research projects such as Rebeca from the Interreg-Mac Europe Meeting, which endeavours to showcase these strains and identify the potential of its compounds for the market.
The delegation from Gran Canaria, the only one representing Spain in this event, held a meeting with the minister in charge of implementing maritime strategy, Jean D'Amour, who outlined a € 1.5 billion investment in the coming years to create 22,000 jobs in the blue economy.
Moreover, contact was made with representatives of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Union, responsible for the Atlantic Action Plan, who pointed out that the so-called 'blue growth' stands out as a priority area to opt for funded R&D projects.
An opportunity for agreements and business
The main organiser of Biomarine 2017, Pierre Erwes, highlighted his support for Gran Canaria in the bioeconomy sector, and placed the island as "one of the hot spots to generate important projects”.
Biomarine gathered, in its 4th edition, 400 participants among which were investors, entrepreneurs and scientists with links to the marine biotechnology industry, who analysed the industry's main trends, and held working and business meetings with participants.
Most of the businesses that registered engage in the extraction of bioactive compounds, from macro and microalgae, the applications of which are of interest for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and human and animal nutrition industries, although they also have other applications such as natural pigments for the textile industry.
The Nomad City puts Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the ‘top ten’ of the Nomad List
Over 200 digital nomads and remote workers from over 30 countries met in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at the Nomad City, an event which has managed to place the capital of Gran Canaria in the 'top ten' of the Nomad List, an international ranking of ideal cities for these types of workers.
The ‘Nomad List’ collects specific data from each city, such as internet speed, safety, access to culture or leisure and weather. In this context, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with a score of 4.8 out of 5, ranks 6th out of hundreds of destinations analysed, thanks to its healthcare system, the possibility of touring the city by foot and road safety. The list also highlights its safety, internet speed, freedom of expression and quality of life, among other factors.
The Nomad City gathered over 200 digital nomads in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria between 18th and 24th September with the aim of turning the island into a leading work centre for remote workers.
The organisers of the project, who had the backing of the Island Council (Cabildo de Gran Canaria), through the Tourist Board and the Corporation for the Economic Development of Gran Canaria (SPEGC), and the Town Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, stressed the importance of this event to attract professionals and companies from different business areas and countries, taking advantage of the fact that the island has appropriate infrastructures and facilities, services which are of a European standard, excellent connectivity and great quality of life.
In addition to the training workshops, during the event participants were able to learn about the opportunities and advantages the island has to offer for startups and remote workers or digital nomads, as well as its particular tax features and financial support which they can benefit from in the Canary Islands, its suitability as an environment to develop business and its connectivity with Europe, African and America.