The Spanish Digital Agenda set by national authorities is focused on the accomplishment of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy, which aims to open up digital opportunities for people and business, while enhancing Europe’s position as a world leader in the digital economy.
The “2017-2020 Strategic Plan” for Spain is based on six major cores:
- encourage the deployment of ultra-fast network
- develop the digital economy
- improve e-government and digital public services
- building digital confidence
- encourage R&D+i
- supporting digital inclusion and ICT training.
Market in numbers
Spain is one of the most important ICT markets by volume in Europe, as its turnover reached €108’862 million in 2017 (+2.4%).There are nearly 25’000 ICT companies operating in Spain and the sector employs almost half a million people. The sector represents the 4.3% of the country’s GDP.
There are more than 51 million mobile lines in Spain (111% penetration rate) and over 30 million internet users. Almost 80% of households are equipped with computers and over 83% are connected to Internet. E-commerce turnover surpassed €30’000 million in 2017 (+25.7%)
Foreign trade
Exports of ICT products from Spain grew again for the fourth consecutive year to stand at €14’775 million (€11’143 million of services and €3’632 million in goods) in 2017. On the other hand, imports reached €19’947 million (€6’030 million of services and €13’917 million in goods). The country mainly exports ICT services, while imports are mainly of goods (70%).
Business opportunities for Swiss companies
Development of Software in Spain
The infrastructure and the talent that Spain offers are some of the reasons for software development companies’ success, as it allows companies located in the country to profit from its research centers, both public and private, and the nearly 50’000 students who finish their studies in Engineering & Electronic every year. All of that, combined with efficient labour costs (hourly cost per employee is 25% under the EU-28 average), offers foreign companies a great scenario to increase productivity and to expand their business.
Digitization of companies and public administration, software solutions
Digital solutions are a global growing market and, of course, Spain has also its own demand. The need to increase productivity and promote efficiency are driving changes in the Spanish market in companies for sectors such as industry, tourism, banking and agro-food, fostering a growing demand in digital subsectors as bid data, IoT, robotics, 3D printing, AI, drones and augmented reality.
Trade of ICT goods
As stated before, Spain relies on imports of ICT products, especially for communications equipment (26.4%) and computers and peripheral equipment (24.3%), as imports of ICT goods quadruplicate exports. Also, despite China accounts for 25.5% of those imports, European countries account for 55% of them, underlining the potential for other regional competitors to grow in the Spanish market.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity in Spain is an opportunity for companies of various types (Spain is the third country in the world, after the US and the UK, with more cyberattacks), ranging from manufacturers, local suppliers of specialised services, managed security services, wholesalers, distributors and basic technology companies through to integrators and consultants. Therefore, Spanish companies are often joining efforts with foreign companies in developing innovative solutions and/or commercializing them for third parties. Sectors such as Energy, Banking and Infrastructure are amongst those with a higher demand.
Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2019 (25th – 28th February).
For the 6th consecutive year, S-GE and the Swiss Business Hub Spain are organizing the SWISS Pavilion at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), where 12 companies will present their products and services to more than 100’000 visitors from all over the world. Meet us
This year, during the celebration of the Swiss Night at the MWC (February 26th), we will organize an Investment Promotion event, to foster Switzerland as a business location. Companies from all over the world will join us at the Royal Barcelona Yacht Club. The event will include a networking cocktail for all participants.
