The Generalitat is working to bring four major projects to the Digital District at the port of Alicante

The Consell's commitment to boosting the technology and innovation sector in Alicante is clear, aiming to breathe more life into the Digital District. A couple of years ago, this new headquarters opened at dock 5 and currently hosts six companies. The latest to join is the Ellis Foundation, which operates in the artificial intelligence sector.

The Ministry of Innovation has revealed that they are working on four projects to join this talent attraction hub. This was confirmed by Minister Marián Cano during the TodoAlicante Technology and Innovation Forum held this Friday as part of the 'Alicante Somos +' project, precisely at the Digital District of the port of Alicante.

"At present, we have four projects under evaluation for incorporation," explained the portfolio head, highlighting that "we are working to ensure that the projects implemented meet those levels of demand." Currently, the Generalitat is engaged in negotiations, and no further information has been disclosed regarding these tech companies.

However, the Ministry of Innovation intends to be "very demanding with the selection of projects" and takes a jab at the previous Botànic government: "Not all previous projects had that technological base and seemed like just another coworking space." A situation far from the ministry's goal, which is "to be a technology base and make Alicante a reference point."

During the forum, led by TodoAlicante director Concha Pastor, Cano explained the ministry's intention to "invigorate the Digital District," where the regional Innovation Directorate is located. The Consell aims to consolidate the city and province "as a national technology reference hub, because we have high value-added sectors," insists the minister.

The Innovation Minister listed advances in the field with "smart tourism, sustainable footwear, emerging sectors like aerospace," while highlighting "the role of public universities such as UA's advances in AI or UMH's alliance with CSIC for advances in neuroscience." The minister also mentioned technological institutes and urged "focusing on this innovation to become increasingly sustainable."

The minister also commented on the current state of the tariff war following Thursday's meeting with the Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, and other communities. In this area, she again calls for "negotiation with a single and strong voice, which must be that of the European Union."

Cano explained that it is time to "monitor the measures of the United States and support the sectors," some of which are significantly affected in Alicante, such as the footwear industry, which exports 126 million euros to the country led by Donald Trump.

The head of the Commerce area also highlighted the internationalisation plan being carried out by the Generalitat and assured that "we will work on market diversification, as we have highly internationalised sectors that have been opening markets worldwide."

In this regard, the Consell will analyse each case and the impacts by regions to closely monitor this tariff war and its impacts on Alicante and Comunitat companies, while also urging the EU to focus on "economic sustainability" and move away from overregulation.