The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) play an increasing role in the promotion and development of economies and modern societies. Not only do they represent a strong sector with a high growth potential, but there is little doubt that they have a direct impact in the improvement of the productivity and competitiveness of today’s economy, helping to set the bases for a new growth model based on knowledge.

The development of the ICT sector in our country occupies a relevant place in the international landscape, with a determined support from the successive governments, committed with their European peers to a harmonized introduction of technology modernization policies, and a local industry that has received such a boost as the element needed to reach de development of the sector we enjoy today. The successive plans and strategies, such as the Plan AVANZA -highlighted by the OECD as an example of ICT Governance-, have implied the general consciousness of the Spanish society that no development is possible without taking into consideration ICT as the fundamental tool.

Immersed in the European Community, Spain has progressively transposed all European guidelines emitted, frequently ahead of time, and today offers a business environment homogeneous with its community partners and, with its leadership, it leads strategic projects included in the European Digital Agenda.

For all these reasons, the ICT market has experienced in Spain one of the highest growths in Europe in the last decade, consolidating itself among the top five markets in the region. Although these activities have not been immune to the global crisis, this industry was worth over €101 billion in 2011. This volume represented roughly a 5.7% of the national GDP for the year and the ICT incomes as a ratio of GDP was 9.5% in 2011.

The ICT industry accounts for more than 440,000 direct jobs in Spain, a figure that rises to 1.5 million if we include the indirect jobs created, around 7.5% of the total employment in the country. Following the same pattern as most of other sectors, this industry is dominated in number by small and medium- sized enterprises. Thus, only 4% of the almost 30.000 companies active in the sector register over 50 employees.

Being a strong consumer of technology, Spain currently leads the way in several ICT implementation fields, such as education or health, and through a demanding legislative development proposes for the period 2010-2015 the achievement of ambitious indicators, such as the implementation of e-Government in all Public Administrations or the complete digitalization of the judicial system, which open renovated expectations in the near future.

Why Spain?

• Commitment of Spain with its EC partners defined in the European Digital Agenda.
• Potential national clients. The existing demand for ICT products and services is mature, but with a high growth expectancy in some areas.
• Experience in the offer. Maturity in technology- and commercial practices, with highly developed local service providers that can act as a catalyst.
• Experience in exporting services, opening interesting collaboration opportunities to access new markets (European Union, North of Africa and Latin America), with Spanish multinationals already well established in those regions.
• Availability of skilled human resources, at a very competitive cost. More than 33,800 engineers graduate each year in Spain.
• Ability to scale though Latin American resources.
• Modern transport and telecommunication infrastructures, coupled with an extensive network of Scientific and Technology Parks and Higher Education Centres.
• Strong Government support, through specific sector plans, to all activities aimed at fostering the development of the Information Society.
• Exceptional value – cost – risk alignment.

For further information, please visit the Business Opportunities tab for this sector. You can also find in the reports section some of the most relevant studies on the sector.

To find Grants & Incentives available for this sector, click here to access our online database and select "ICT and Information Society" under "Project classification", one of our search parameters.