The Government of Andorra starts to work an ecosystem to link entrepreneurship, innovation, research and the country’s business sector. In this context, the Minister of Presidency, Economy and Business, Jordi Gallardo, visited two of the most important international centres of this kind such as Technoparc and the Quartier de l’Innovation in Montreal. During the various working sessions with executives of both entities, Gallardo analysed their strategic plans and the specificities that will be necessary for the Andorran model.
The Minister declared “the creation of this ecosystem in Andorra is an old request from professionals from various sectors of the country. We must consider this demand and study its viability. We are defining the model that we would like to implement in the short term and these meetings are also helping us to build agreements that will connect the Andorran entrepreneurship and innovation sector with Canada”.
Gallardo reminded that “the entities we visited are internationally renowned and some of their sectors represented were already identified by both the Government and the CEA, as priorities to diversify the Andorran economy. Some of these sectors are HealthTech, Greentech and new information technologies (AI, blockchain, Big Data…)”. The Secretary of State for Economic Diversification and Innovation, Marc Galabert, and the Director of Actua Innovació, Marc Pons, completed the Andorran delegation.
A Canadian delegation will visit Andorra in November
The Government of Quebec confirmed that a delegation specialized in the fields of business development, entrepreneurship and innovation will visit Andorra in November. The Andorran purpose is to sign agreements that would allow for closer relations with a strategic country such as Canada.
Canadian models
Montreal’s Technoparc brings together 7,350 workers from 140 companies, including Air Canada, Bombardier, and Genetec. In addition, it brings together avant-garde buildings that are architecturally and technologically advanced and encourages the use of alternative transport and green spaces with the aim of creating an environment conducive to innovation. It was created 30 years ago with the objective of developing innovation projects that contribute to the economy of the area.
The Quartier de l’Innovation de Montréal was born with the mission of promoting a unique innovation ecosystem where experimentation and collaboration between academics, entrepreneurs and citizens generate benefits for society. It is supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal and four universities (École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS), McGill University, Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and 30 private partners.