Visits to Basque Trade & Investment, part of the SPRI Group, are showcasing the capabilities of the Basque ecosystem and strengthening international collaboration in areas such as innovation, advanced industry and the energy transition.
Edited by Jon Erramun Arrue-Karazo
Basque Trade & Investment (SPRI Group) is currently hosting in Euskadi three international delegations from Austria, Poland and South Korea, as part of several initiatives designed to foster knowledge exchange, reinforce cooperative ties and generate new opportunities for collaboration.
The Chamber of Economy of Carinthia, representatives of the Łukasiewicz Institute – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology and the Lower Silesia regional government, and the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association (KWEIA) are carrying out distinct work programmes in Euskadi over these days. Their agendas enable the delegations to gain first-hand insight into Basque capabilities, policies, projects and stakeholders, while holding meetings with institutional representatives, companies and specialised entities.
The Carinthian delegation, led by Jürgen Mandl, President of the Chamber of Economy of Carinthia, aims to learn about Euskadi’s capabilities and identify opportunities for cooperation and investment, with particular attention to digitalisation, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, sustainable mobility and the aerospace sector.
As part of its programme, the delegation is meeting with Basque Trade & Investment and SPRI, and learning about initiatives led by GAIA and CYBASQUE. The agenda also includes visits to Tecnalia, the Advanced Aeronautical Manufacturing Centre (CFAA) and MUBIL, where delegates can explore different experiences and capabilities developed in Euskadi.
Representatives of the Łukasiewicz Institute – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology and the Lower Silesia regional government are visiting Euskadi within the framework of the Innovative Lower Silesia project. The objective is to gain first-hand knowledge of the Basque innovation model, as well as the policies, tools and agents that structure Euskadi’s research, technological development and knowledge-transfer ecosystem.
The programme includes meetings with Basque Trade & Investment and SPRI, as well as encounters with GAIA, the Basque Technology Park, Innobasque, BIC Bizkaia and Tecnalia. These sessions address issues such as entrepreneurship, applied research, technology transfer, digitalisation and the connection between knowledge and the business fabric.
The Lower Silesia visit takes place as economic ties between Euskadi and Poland continue to grow. In the first seven months of 2026, Basque exports to Poland reached €573 million, a 14% increase compared with the same period in 2025. At the same time, 40 Basque companies now operate 52 sites in Poland, showing a strong and expanding presence in the Polish market.
In addition to these two missions, the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association (KWEIA) is visiting, accompanied by six journalists from leading South Korean economic media. The delegation has the opportunity to learn about the Basque business and technology ecosystem linked to wind energy, and the capabilities developed around the energy transition and offshore wind.
The visit also includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KWEIA and Basque Trade & Investment, which will strengthen relations between both ecosystems, facilitate knowledge sharing and explore new cooperation opportunities. The programme further contemplates visits to Basque companies to learn about the development of a complete and competitive wind value chain and the associated industrial and technological capabilities.
Through these three initiatives, Basque Trade & Investment is reinforcing its role in international connectivity and in bringing the Basque ecosystem closer to strategically important markets and regions. Direct contact with business and institutional delegations enables knowledge sharing, the creation of new relationships and the promotion of cooperation opportunities that contribute to Euskadi’s international projection.
