Navarro announces that next year the Consorci will focus on making Barcelona the world capital of trade with the most innovative logistical infrastructure

Barcelona, ​​10 December 2018. Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), Pere Navarro, announced that the Consorci intends to transform Barcelona into the world capital of innovative logistics and international trade next year, by organising five global events in the city from 26 to 28 June 2019.

At a conference entitled “Zona Franca Barcelona, ​​fábrica de oportunidades” (Barcelona Free Trade Zone, opportunity generator”), held as part of the Dinars Cambra series of luncheon-talks and organised by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, ​​Navarro spoke of the economic stimulation spearheaded by the Consorci de la Zona Franca to retain talent, foster innovation and project Barcelona with the image of a “vibrant and creative” city that will make this summit to “shine and vibrate like the best occasions”.

He explained that the Consorci has succeeded in attracting the WFZO World Free Trade Zone Congress, the Congress of the Federation of National Associations of Cargo Agents and International Logistical Operators of Latin America and the Caribbean (ALACAT), the International Congress of Authorised Economic Operators (OEA), the latest edition of the International Logistics and Maintenance Fair (SIL), and the e-commerce eDelivery exhibition to Barcelona from 26 to 28 June 2019.

“This logistics and international trade summit is expected to bring together more than 1,000 free trade zone representatives from around the world to a valuable space for knowledge exchange. There are more than 3,500 free trade zones in 130 countries in the world, which are responsible for more than 70 million jobs”, he explained.

The delegate of the State in the CZFB explained that when the Consorci was formed, more than 100 years ago, “transport and logistics and talent retention were priority issues” and they are still on the agenda for Barcelona, a global city.

Since young people are essential to the future and to talent retention, he said that “the Consorci wants to help young generations to keep their talent here, to work and live in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, because progress is not intrinsically useful if it does not improve people’s living conditions.”

Among the projects that will keep Barcelona competitive in the globalised economy, Navarro underlines the strategic DFactory, which is intended to transform the city into a leader in advanced technologies of the Economy 4.0.

He explained that the two main projects in this area are the European High-Tech 3DFactory Incubator, which will start operating at the Consorci at the beginning of 2019, on more than 600 square metres that will house companies specialised in 3D additive printing (100 companies within the next five years), and the DFactory 4.0 Barcelona manufacturing hub, which will develop into an innovative ecosystem in the heart of the industrial estate, with an investment of more than 17 million euros.

“We at the Free Trade Zone seek to be a space for transformational companies, since it will be a magnificent area for testing new urban furniture, sustainable energy production and the new zero-residue industrial culture, because a city isn’t smart if it isn’t sustainable, digital and ecological”.

“Barcelona needs to be important in terms of collective solutions for cities where, according to the United Nations, 68% of the world population will be living by 2050. The 21^st century will be the century of cities, and sustainability is more important than ever, he said, adding that the Consorci is working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations for the next decade.

Click here to download a photograph taken during Pere Navarro’s speech today.