The Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of the Government of Catalonia, Jaume Duch, visits the DFactory Barcelona

• He held a meeting with Pere Navarro, the special State delegate in the CZFB, who explained to him the entity’s firm commitment and strategic vision to lead the digital transformation of the industry with the District 4.0.

• Jaume Duch highlighted the leadership of the CZFB, confirmed by the recognition of being the first free zone in the world to receive the OECD’s security and transparency certificate in trade.

Barcelona, 17 April 2025.- The Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of the Government of Catalonia, Jaume Duch, visited today the facilities of DFactory Barcelona, the international benchmark industry 4.0 ecosystem driven by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), which currently hosts 37 companies dedicated to robotics, 3D printing, sensors, artificial intelligence, IoT, augmented and virtual reality, and blockchain.

During the visit, the Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of the Government of Catalonia, Jaume Duch, was able to speak with some of the heads of the companies installed at DFactory Barcelona and learn first-hand about their innovative activities. Likewise, Duch held a meeting with the special State delegate in the CZFB, Pere Navarro, who explained to him the entity’s firm commitment and strategic vision to lead the digital transformation of the industry with District 4.0.

Precisely, District 4.0 is revolutionising the activity of the Zona Franca de Barcelona with highly innovative and tech-related projects linked to industry and logistics, attracting prominent international and national companies. The nerve centre of District 4.0 is DFactory Barcelona, which currently has a 90% occupancy rate, with 37 companies installed, prompting the need to begin a project to expand its facilities. It is expected that by the end of 2026, DFactory Barcelona will increase from the current 17.000 m² to 60.000 m², consolidating itself as the largest public initiative that, in contact with the private sector, fosters collaboration between innovative technologies and creative talent related to Industry 4.0.

The Minister of European Union and External Action of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Jaume Duch, stated during his visit to the Zona Franca of Barcelona that “the economic future of Catalonia and the entire European Union depends on competitiveness. Key logistical and business hubs like the Zona Franca of Barcelona are essential to strengthen it. The Government of Catalonia is committed to enhancing its international projection, with the aim of showcasing its level of excellence and opening new opportunities and markets”.

Furthermore, Navarro explained to the Minister for European Union and Foreign Action the leadership of the Zona Franca de Barcelona on a global level. This has led to the CZFB being the first free zone in the world to receive the security and transparency certificate in trade awarded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlighting its business model oriented towards innovation, Industry 4.0, and sustainability, and its strong commitment to transparency in its management and security in international trade.

The special State delegate in the CZFB, Pere Navarro, explained that “Barcelona has a series of ingredients, such as its connection with the world, its generation and attraction of talent, or its technological, innovative, and entrepreneurial ecosystem, which together make it the ideal location to be the world capital of Industry 4.0 and attract international investments. Therefore, we have fertile ground to lead this type of initiative and turn District 4.0 into the economic activity zone that leads Industry 4.0 on an international level”.