The island of Gran Canaria has reinforced its position as a strategic enclave for the high-tech industry during the celebration of the II Aerospace Congress of the Canary Islands, which took place in the south.
The president of the Cabildo, Antonio Morales, inaugurated the forum and took the opportunity to highlight the island's history in scientific and space observation, citing key institutions such as the Canary Islands Space Center in Maspalomas. However, he made a clear demand of national institutions, criticizing the fact that the Center, which is celebrating 50 years of service (and 15 more if its time with NASA is included), "is not sufficiently valued" nor does it receive the attention it deserves. Morales insisted on the need to support this crucial facility, which collaborates with world-class agencies such as NASA, ESA, and JAXA.
The congress served to consolidate the sector's growth strategy, based on three fundamental pillars: talent, infrastructure, and tax incentives. Regarding talent, the potential of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) was highlighted, with more than 3.300 students in STEM degrees and 250 researchers specializing in the sector.
In terms of infrastructure, the Island Council is developing, alongside the Technology Park, a new 7.000-square-meter center with advanced laboratories for microelectronics and photonics projects, in addition to promoting the future station of the Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations in Agüimes. Morales highlighted the value of the Canary Islands' tax instruments, such as the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) and the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC), which offer unique incentives in Europe for R&D&I and technological investment. The president concluded by reiterating the Island Council's commitment to continue strengthening alliances with universities and the private sector, seeking to promote a stronger, more sustainable, and more competitive technology industry, and positioning Gran Canaria as a key point in Spain's technological independence.
