The Lehendakari opens the International Machine Tool Exhibition-BIEMH 2018
Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu, the Basque Premier, today visited the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) to open the International Machine Tool Biennial. Lehendakari Urkullu noted that this year’s fair was being held at a time of economic growth in general and, in particular, for industry and the machine-tool sector. He stressed that industry was now accounting for 24.2% of the Basque economy and that he expected its contribution to exceed 25% by 2020. “This sector is centre stage in innovation, internationalisation and the digital, technological and professional skills-building of the human resources. It is the benchmark of our export capacity and presence on the global market,” he stressed.
The Basque Minister for Economic Development and Infrastructures, Arantxa Tapia, its Minister for Employment and Justice, Mª Jesús San José, and the General Manager of the BEC, Xabier Basañez, were at the opening ceremony alongside the Lehendakari. The Chairman of the Association of Machine Tool Manufacturers, César Garbalena, and the Chairman of the Association of the Machine Tool Importers, Eduars Farran, were also there. They were accompanied by the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mª Aburto, the Bizkaia Provincial Council Chairman, Unai Rementeria, and by several members of the BEC Board.
The Lehendakari explained that the Basque Country aspires to be a world benchmark in this field in innovation and that they know that the way forward is to be commitment to technological, digitalisation and “Industry 4.0”. He also stressed that leadership in Industry 4.0 will only be achieved thanks to well-trained and qualified people, despite the role of machines. “Stability, Strategy and Collaboration as the basis to drive economic growth and the creation of quality jobs in the Basque Country. This is the common good that is our goal and for which we are working together,” concluded Lehendakari Urkullu.
2018
The 30th BIEMH has got underway today (28 May) and will end on Friday 1 June. A total of 1751 exhibitors from 21 countries will be taking part in the event and occupy the six Bilbao Exhibition Centre pavilions. BIEMH is the leading trade fair in the Spanish State in the field of advanced manufacturing and one of Europe’s most important industrial events.
Further information: http://biemh.bilbaoexhibitioncentre.com/
