The Vice President and Minister of Economy, Industry, Commerce and Self-Employed Workers of the Canary Islands Government, Manuel Domínguez, visited the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) today, where he held a working meeting with the management team and scientists of the institution to gain in-depth knowledge of the activities, challenges, and opportunities offered by this key infrastructure for the Blue Economy and ocean innovation in the Canary Islands.
During the visit, Manuel Domínguez underscored the significance of PLOCAN as “perhaps the most important marine laboratory and testing site in Europe,” emphasizing that “the research and development carried out here provides us with a unique opportunity to achieve the long-desired goal of diversifying the Canary Islands’ economy.”
The Vice President stressed, “We believe it is extremely timely to make a strong commitment to this research, to the marine world, where, among other projects, marine and offshore energy may offer us an opportunity to generate significant development and a substantial value chain.” He also pointed to new future opportunities for the business sector and private investment in this field in the islands.
For his part, José Joaquín Hernández Brito, director of PLOCAN, outlined the activities and economic impact of this infrastructure on the Archipelago’s Blue Economy, as well as the growth prospects for the coming years. “The increase in economic activity through this channel is very important, with the potential to double current turnover in the next decade,” he noted.
To achieve this objective, he pointed out, among other aspects, the need to “activate agile mechanisms in the administrative management of permits, promote demonstration projects, and ensure that economic growth permeates throughout the territory.”
Both leaders also agreed on the importance of adapting administrative processes to the pace of innovation and strengthening knowledge transfer, public-private collaboration, and attracting investment.
