The Basque Government approves the Economic Stimulus and Job Creation Programme to create 32,000 new jobs

The Basque Cabinet has today approved the Economic Stimulus and Job Creation Framework Programme, which fulfils one of the priority commitments of the current Basque Government for this term, as Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu set out in his inaugural address. The Programme earmarks a budget of 6475 million euros for the period 2014-2016 and envisages 32,000 new jobs being created.

After the Cabinet meeting, Lehendakari Urkullu, Juan María Aburto, the Basque Government's Minister for Employment and Social Policies, and Arantza Tapia, its Minister for Economic Development and Competitiveness, held a press conference.

Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu stressed that this Programme is the "lynchpin" of the Basque Government's economic policy. It is an initiative that will bring together five plans. The Job Creation Plan is in the centre with a budget of 775 million euros; and on the other hand, the emphasis will be on the "4I strategy" - Investment, industry, Innovation and Internationalisation. Four plans allocated 3,840 million euros and 1,860 million in collateral for companies.

After the boost of the Programme approved at the start of the term, which the Lehendakari pointed out has led to "the coming out of recession", this Framework Programme, approved today, is aimed at a "return to growth and sustainable job creation over the next three years". The Lehendakari explained that the final goal is to drive the setting up of 8,000 new companies and self-employed businesses and help to create 32,000 new jobs. This goal will be achieved by fostering activity among the SMEs, encouraging them to carry out more R&D&I activities and driving the setting up of 75 new strategic research projects.