SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 9th Jan (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife is seeking technological partners in Madrid, collaborating with Samsung Spain and Huawei to diversify the production model, foster skilled employment, and establish the island as a centre of innovation and development in the Atlantic.
In a statement, the insular institution has outlined recent meetings with the executive leadership of the two tech giants, strategic gatherings focused on exploring collaborative initiatives in critical areas such as connectivity, artificial intelligence, and digital training.
The insular president, Rosa Dávila, the Councilor for Research, Development and Innovation of the Cabildo, Juan José Martínez, and the director of the Tenerife Science and Technology Park, Olga Martín, were present during the discussions held at the headquarters of both corporations.
These meetings form part of a work agenda initiated after the Hub Intech Tenerife event, which assembled more than 30 global technology giants, 15 of the largest European distributors, and nearly 300 local Canarian businesses.
Notable participants at this significant technological forum included companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Microsoft, Telefónica, Samsung, and Huawei.
Specifically, these two multinationals, world leaders in technology, expressed interest in establishing a new round of discussions with the Cabildo of Tenerife to explore the island’s potential, as well as entities like the Scientific and Technological Park and the Renewable Energy Institute (ITER).
For the president of the Cabildo, “these firms have not only achieved milestones in their respective markets but have also transformed how the world engages with technology. Our goal is to build robust collaborative partnerships that propel the technological transformation of Tenerife.”
Dávila highlighted to these technology corporations the “distinct advantages” that make the island “a strategic investment destination.”
“Tenerife provides an unmatched environment for developing technological projects. We possess one of the most favourable tax regimes in Europe, thanks to the benefits conferred by the Canary Islands Special Zone and the Investment Reserve,” he elaborated.
He remarked that Tenerife “is globally connected through a fibre optic network supported by eleven submarine cables, ensuring connectivity that rivals any major continental region.”
Additionally, he mentioned the island’s advanced technological infrastructure, including one of Spain’s most powerful supercomputers and a state-of-the-art data centre at ITER.
Tenerife, Dávila notes, also hosts centres of research excellence, such as the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, which have enabled entry into strategic sectors like aerospace, along with the University of La Laguna and various public organisations of the Higher Council for Scientific Research.
During the discussion with Samsung Spain, potential collaborations were explored to bolster the technological ecosystem of Tenerife.
Currently, the company, known for its prominent global presence, is acknowledged for its leadership in mobile devices, smart home technology, IT solutions, and semiconductor innovation, among other business domains.
“Tenerife has proven itself as a strategic location for innovation and technological advancement, providing an encouraging environment for the growth of projects with global significance,” stated Eugenio Jiménez Carrasco, director of the IT Division at Samsung Spain.
A “KEY PARTNER”
Rosa Dávila expressed her gratitude to Samsung Spain for its interest in Tenerife and underscored the importance of strategic alliances with companies of this stature.
“Samsung is a crucial partner for the island’s future. Tenerife possesses the resources and vision to spearhead technological transformation in the Canary Islands, creating skilled employment and retaining local talent,” she emphasised.
On the same day, the president of the Cabildo and her team visited the Castellana Norte Business Centre to meet with Huawei’s executive team.
During the meeting, the vice president of the company in Spain, Carmen González Gens, highlighted their leadership in telecommunications network infrastructure, connectivity for businesses, 5G technologies, and artificial intelligence solutions.
She also introduced the Huawei Spain Academy, a training institution—the company’s first in Europe—aimed at enhancing talent and digital, green, and cybersecurity skills.
“The Cabildo of Tenerife could serve as an interesting strategic partner for this initiative, which will provide over 3,000 courses and benefit up to 50,000 individuals in the next five years,” González indicated.
The Huawei Spain Academy will feature over 300 international experts and 50 local specialists, offering training both online and in-person, benefiting the upcoming generation of talent.
