Analysis of the Industrial Sector and Current Policies in Spain
Dynamic Industrial Sectors
Certain industries are characterized by their high productivity and demand, often specializing in specific areas. These typically include:
a) The Automotive Sector
b) The Petrochemicals and Basic Chemistry Sub-sector, including Transformation Chemistry
c) The Agricultural and Food Sector, with dispersed small-scale industries
High Technology or Cutting-Edge Industrial Sectors
In Spain, these sectors were introduced later and are less developed compared to other countries. They are often located in technological or scientific parks, characterized by:
- Metropolitan and urban environments
- Business incubators
- A goal to act as locomotives for innovative industries and development
The results have been concentrated in major cities and industrial hubs (Madrid, Catalonia), with a clustering of parks and innovative companies in these areas.
The Current Industrial Structure
The current industrial structure faces challenges that hinder competitiveness and sales in foreign markets:
- The average size of companies and industries is small
- Research and innovation are insufficient
- Technology creation is inadequate and dependent
Current Industrial Location
Factors Influencing Current Location
- Proximity to natural resources and consumer markets is losing importance
- Availability of good transportation, communication systems, and labor remains relevant
- Access to innovation and information are key factors
Current Trends: Dissemination and Concentration
There is a trend of industry dissemination towards peripheral areas, driven by:
- Problems associated with large industrial concentrations
- Technological and transportation improvements
- Development of endogenous industrialization in mature sectors
Existing Industrial Areas in Spain
Industrial location in Spain exhibits significant territorial imbalances.
Developed Industrial Areas
These are primarily metropolitan areas like Madrid and Barcelona. Recent trends include the decline or conversion of mature industrial sectors and revitalization through high-technology industries.
Areas of Industrial Expansion
Several types can be distinguished:
- Metropolitan Crowns: Traditional industries, innovative companies, and technology parks
- Peri-urban Fringes: Attractive for relocating industries near cities
- Industrial Development Axes: Along major communication routes (e.g., Ebro Valley)
- Rural Areas: Well-connected areas with small industries and occasional innovative companies
Areas of Industrial Decline
This occurs in mature industries dominated by large factories and dependent SMEs, often leading to restructuring and relocation.
Areas of Small-Scale and Induced Industrialization
These areas are characterized by the predominance of small, traditional, and dispersed industries.
- Induced industrialization areas are the result of industrial promotion policies from the 1960s
- Areas with low industrialization include Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura, Balearic and Canary Islands
Current Industrial Policy
Framework and Objectives
Current industrial policy is characterized by:
- Increasing openness to foreign markets
- Decline in state intervention
- European Union involvement
- Autonomous communities participating in coordinated policies with the state
The main objectives are to increase competitiveness, achieve a more balanced territorial distribution, and ensure sustainability by addressing environmental issues.
Sectoral Policy
This aims to address the problem of excessive specialization in mature sectors. Key measures include:
- Restructuring declining sectors and reindustrialization of affected areas
- Creation of industrial observatories
- Support for sectors exposed to foreign competition
Structural Policies
These policies aim to improve competitiveness and internationalization of companies. Measures include:
- Support for SMEs and large companies
- Promoting research, innovation, and technology transfer
- Increasing R&D expenditure
- Collaboration between public and private institutions
Planning Policy
The objective is to correct imbalances in industrial distribution through industrial promotion and endogenous development.
1 Endogenous Development Policy
This is based on:
- Micro-planning
- Support for local SMEs
- Promotion of innovation and information
Environmental Policy for Industry
This aims to address environmental problems and protect industrial heritage.
1 Combating Environmental Problems
Actions include:
- Damage prevention
- Research on clean technologies and green industry
- Voluntary corrective measures and environmental regulations