Unda announces that 50 start-ups have been set up on the Margen Izquierda in the last two years

- The Basque Government Minister for Industry, Innovation, Trade and Tourism presented the "Marcelo Gangoiti" Award to Josu Jon Imaz, from Petronor

- 50 innovative and technological companies, with a survival rate of over 80%, have been started up through the Innovation Centre with Basque Government backing on the Margen Izquierda

- Unda stressed that "this Government governs and governs well"

At the XVI "Marcelo Gangoiti" Award ceremony, the Basque Government Minister for Industry, Innovation, Trade and Tourism, Bernabé Unda, today stressed that the current Basque Government has tackled the economic downturn by following the guidelines set by the founder of the Somorrostro Training Centre, "as this Government governs, and governs well". Unda presented the award to Petronor, which was accepted by Josu Jon Imaz, CEO of the Basque company, and revealed that 50 companies have been set up on the Margen Izquierda in the last two years.

The Minister for Industry quoted some figures as proof of the endeavour over the last two and a half years "by all the institutions to forge ahead and ensure a better future for the Basque Country and its citizens". He thus pointed out that 843 companies that were in serious danger due to an urgent need for funding have received backing and thus saved 42,000 jobs, or that investment in R&D has increased by 10.4%, when it fell by 3.5% between 2006 and 2008.

And with regard to the Margen Izquierda, Bernabé Unda stressed the institutional commitment to this region. "The figures show that 50 companies have been started up in 2010 and 2011, through the Margen Izquierda Business Development Creation Centre, with an induced investment of 15 million euros". The Minister stressed the need to continue to practice the guidelines left by Marcelo Gangoiti "as endeavour, resiliency, spirit of sacrifice and work are necessary in difficult times such as the present" and pointed out that the Basque Government is doing so "to tackle the economic crisis with rigour and seriousness".

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 20 January 2012