“The Machine-Tool Biennial is a fundamental event for the Basque economy.  It showcases the abilities of Basque companies. It is also a hub for business and knowledge on a European and global scale.  This is set to be a great edition of the event in terms of the level of the firms participating and the activities which are scheduled to take place.  It is sure to help us move forward on two basic lines for the industrial policy of the Basque Country: support for advanced manufacturing in the context of the RIS3 smart specialisation strategy; and “Basque Industry 4.0″, a move towards digital business and technology. This is the road along which we plan to continue channelling our efforts through public institutions, clusters, individual businesses and workers”.  These words were addressed by Basque Premier Iñigo Urkullu to the entrepreneurs present at the official opening of the 29^th BIEMH Machine-Tool Biennial.

The Premier also stated that “it is true that uncertainties remain in the economic and political outlook, but today I would like to express my confidence in the energy of the Basque economy.  We will continue moving forward in investments, exports and consumer spending, will maintain growth in the coming months and will continue to create jobs. The Basque Country will continue to grow little by little, job by job. In our efforts we need the support of industry, with skilled jobs capable of generating quality”.

Mr. Urkullu ended by reiterating his support for industry and business which, he said, was “the way forward towards achieving the society that we want: A Basque Country with a future, with high employment and with quality-of-life”.

For her part, Arantza Tapia, Basque Government Minister for Economic Development and Competitiveness and Chair of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, presented an overview of the facts and figures for the event and asserted that “in line with trends in industry at international and local levels, this event is set to contribute to the recovery of the industrial sector as a setting for new projects for investment and modernisation of production machinery”.

Unai Rementería, Chief Councillor of Bizkaia, said in his address that “the BIEMH is a yardstick for measuring the situation of the economy and industry in our country. This year we are entitled to feel optimistic, but must not be overconfident because uncertainties remain. This edition of the Biennial gives us the possibility of seeing how firms from Bizkaia and the rest of the Basque Country compete not with each other but with firms from all over the world”.

Finally, Antxon López Usoz, Chair of the Association of Machine-Tool Manufacturers, set out for basic ideas for the sector: “first, the current situation is uncertain but there is hope in terms of being able to take control of our own future”.  The second idea concerned industry itself: “an advanced industry is a cornerstone of any highly developed economy. If we back advanced manufacturing it needs to be extraordinary, because we need to move forward and not just at the same speed as leading countries, but faster still if we can”.

The third idea was concerned with digital industry: “we need an industry that can continue manufacturing, but not in the same way.  This will provide us with new opportunities, but may also involve threats.  If we are to make the most of the former and face up to the latter we need to design a new strategy”. The AFM Chair’s last idea consisted of a defence of those people who work in the sector: “we need to make a commitment to attracting, training and holding on to the finest specialists. We must help companies, the industry in general and the people who work in it to change in a synchronised fashion.  We must support our workforce and work to help them develop as individuals, so that through them the industry can develop”.

Also present at the opening ceremony were the mayors of Bilbao and Barakaldo, Juan Mª Aburto and Amaia del Campo respectively, the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of Bilbao, Jose Angel Corres, and BEC General Manager Xabier Basañez