The Basque Government has approved a budget of €3 million in aid to support the primary sector.

• The Governing Council has approved a 2.5 million euro line of aid for the incorporation and promotion of digitalisation in the agri-food and timber chains, as well as 480,000 euros for fruit and vegetable producer organisations that promote associationism.
• The Government Representative, María Ubarretxena, also announced the approval of nearly 900,000 euros to support the social economy and encourage women in business.

Following the Governing Council meeting, the Government Representative, María Ubarretxena, held the usual midday press conference, during which she provided an update on the key decisions taken. Also in attendance at the hearing was Noël d'Anjou, the Councillor for the Treasury and Finance.

The Representative announced that the Governing Council, at the proposal of the Department for Food, Rural Affairs and Fisheries, has approved a call for two lines of aid, worth nearly 3 million euros, aimed at supporting the primary sector. It has approved the request for financial assistance to facilitate the integration and promotion of digitalisation in the agri-food and timber industries, with the objective of enhancing their competitiveness. This financial assistance, valued at 2.5 million euros for the 2024 and 2025 financial years, “will enhance operational efficiency, bolster competitiveness and facilitate sustainable growth by fostering collaboration”, according to Ubarretxena.

Conversely, the Commission has approved the allocation of €480,000 in aid to fruit and vegetable producer organisations that promote associations, to meet the demands of today's more competitive and demanding market. This aid is part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is reflected in the Basque Country's Strategic Plan for Agricultural Policy. It is co-financed by the EAGF federation and the Basque Government.

Similarly, in economics, labour and employment, María Ubarretxena drew attention to the approval of almost 900,000 euros for the business sector. The government has approved an aid order worth more than 685,000 euros to promote the social economy by consolidating the associative structures of companies and organisations in the Basque Country. Furthermore, it has approved the call for applications for grants worth 175,000 euros to promote women's entrepreneurship. As Ubarretxena highlighted, this will facilitate the greater involvement of female talent in company and organisational management.” This is the fourth consecutive year in which these grants have been launched as part of the Basque Employment Strategy 2030, which aims to achieve equality between men and women in the workplace.

OTHER AGREEMENTS ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNING COUNCIL

Furthermore, the Spokesperson provided an update on the approval of grants for literary publishing production in Basque and Spanish. These grants will be used to offset some of the costs associated with the annual publishing plans. Regarding the grants, which have a total budget of 760,000 euros, Ubarretxena stated that "this year, for the first time, bestsellers translated into Basque will be subsidised, which means that 60,000 euros more will be allocated than last year.”

Furthermore, the Governing Council has approved the budgetary guidelines for the first Basque Country budget of the 13th Legislature, as proposed by the Department for Economy, Labour and Employment. At the press conference, the Minister for Economy and Finance, Nöel d'Anjou, provided further details of the guidelines, emphasising that, “the budget will prioritise the wellbeing of Basque residents and economic growth, despite the challenging global context.” In his remarks on the budget, the minister highlighted the government's commitment to making “healthcare a central focus of this year's financial plan.”

The Government Representative proceeded to provide an account of the dismissals and appointments that had been approved outside the agenda. She also informed the assembly that the President of the Basque Country, Imanol Pradales, had conveyed the details of the forthcoming series of meetings, commencing on 11 July, to be held with the political parties, trade unions and socio-economic agents. To share the Government Programme that will guide the lines of management of the Executive with the political parties, trade unions and socio-economic agents, Ubarretxena will hold meetings from 11 July onwards. The Government Programme includes “the commitment to public services.”