The Generalitat de Catalunya is set to revive public works concessions for the first time in 14 years, earmarking an initial €1.2 billion to kickstart a new era of infrastructure investment. This move is a cornerstone of the newly announced National Pact for Industry (PNI) for 2026-2030, a comprehensive strategy backed by a minimum of €5 billion to transform the region’s industrial landscape.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

The decision marks a significant turning point for the Catalan economy, signalling a renewed financial footing after over a decade of relying on state financing mechanisms. The long hiatus on such public-private partnerships was a direct consequence of the financial crisis, which limited the government’s ability to fund major projects independently. Now, this revival aims to tackle long-standing infrastructure deficits and bolster Catalonia’s competitiveness.

A €5 Billion Industrial Strategy

The pact, developed in consensus with major employer associations, unions, and universities, will deploy its €5 billion budget across 190 distinct measures. Europa Press reports that the largest single allocation, €1.5 billion, will be dedicated to infrastructure.

Sàmper emphasised that the pact’s goals are aligned with key European objectives: increasing productivity, transitioning to a decarbonised economy, and achieving greater industrial sovereignty to reduce external dependencies.

“The most industrialised territories are those with greater social cohesion, and this is an intangible of great, incalculable value, especially today. This is what we want for Catalonia,” Sàmper stated during his address.

The plan focuses on five strategic pillars: sustainability and decarbonisation; digitalisation and technology (with a focus on AI adoption); training and talent; infrastructure and industrial land; and financing and business growth. The government also aims to increase the number of regular exporting companies to 19,000 by 2030. While the pact avoids setting a specific target for industry’s share of the economy, Sàmper expressed a personal ambition to see it rise from the current 20% to 30% of Gross Value Added (GVA).

Projects on the Ground

The renewed investment is already enabling long-stalled projects to move forward. Metrópoli Abierta reports that in Viladecans, the city council has approved transferring a municipal plot to the Generalitat for a much-needed public nursing home. The city will cede the 3,432 square-metre plot for 50 years; subsequently, the building will become municipal property.

Political gridlock had paralysed this specific project, which scuppered the 2024 regional budget. Its revival demonstrates the immediate, tangible impact of the government’s new financial capacity and strategic focus. The project will address a critical shortage of elderly care places in the area, complementing the recent parliamentary decision to restore 102 geriatric places at the Frederica Montseny Centre in the same town.

Building a Competitive Future

The PNI places a strong emphasis on sectors where Catalonia already holds a leadership position or has high growth potential. These include electric mobility, biotechnology and health, advanced food industries, and semiconductors. Crucially, given the ongoing climate emergency, the plan also aims to bolster the water technology sector to optimise industrial processes amid severe drought conditions.

The strategy is a successor to previous pacts for 2017-2020 and 2022-2025. The latter was initially valued at €2.8 billion but grew to €3.2 billion with the help of European funding. The new €5 billion commitment represents a significant step up, reflecting a clear ambition from the Catalan Government to re-establish industry and modern infrastructure as the twin engines of its economy for the next decade.