José Manuel Soria at the 1st Digital Economy Meeting: “the digital economy is no longer a challenge, it is a reality”

"It is time to reflect digitally. A change in the production model requires the digital transformation of our sectors," says José Manuel de Riva, president of AMETIC.

“The digital economy is no longer a challenge, it is a reality,” said José Manuel Soria, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism at the opening of the I Digital Economy Meeting which organized by AMETIC was held this Tuesday in Madrid and was attended by digital transformation actors from different sectors of activity.

“This meeting is not something foreign to the public sector,” said Soria, who assured that “it stems from the need to increase the approach to digital transformation to all sectors of the Spanish economy without exception.”

At another point in his speech, Soria said that there is "what potential knowledge comes from digital tools and emphasized how they are transforming the lives of people, companies and public and private institutions. If we want to compete more and better, if we want to advance but not in geometric but exponential progression, the private sector must push and the Government above all, lay the foundations with help for regularization and with actions such as those that this Government has been doing with the National Plan for Smart Cities, incorporating sectors into the digital world such as Health, Justice or Education.”

ICT investment

At the opening of the meeting, José Manuel de Riva, president of AMETIC, assured that "as an industrial sector, we understand that it is our responsibility to champion an initiative that brings together all the productive sectors of the country, to begin together the path towards digital transformation." And he assured that "this is the reason for wanting to ask the media, large users of ICT, analysts, Universities and Business Schools, Public Administrations for their opinion, providing a meeting point from which to reflect on this transformation."

According to de Riva, "in 2000, the investment of European companies in ICT was 20% lower than the investment in ICT of North American companies. In recent years, the difference in investment in technologies has widened instead of being reduced, in such a way that now this difference is approximately 50%. The European Parliament and the European Commission have finally decided to give figures, estimating the long-term growth of European GDP at 4%, if the Digital European Single Market is fully developed.”

How Spain is positioned

"With the data we have, we can affirm that Spain is not yet well positioned in terms of the Digital Economy," said the president of AMETIC, who stressed that if our country manages to ensure that the productive sectors rigorously face their digital transformation, take advantage of ICT investments in the Public Sector and implement the European single digital market, we will be able to improve our positioning in the world ranking. And if we add to this an improvement in technological education and an increase in private and public investment in Innovation, the increase “It would be substantial.”

AMETIC Recommendations

AMETIC insists on its role as an integrator, generator and channeler of interest towards the Digital Economy. "It is time to reflect digitally. A change in the production model requires the digital transformation of our sectors, their processes, their technologies, their final products (which must contain more technology). In short, the digital transformation of their value chains."

"It is not just about selling products online, the transformation required is much deeper. It is necessary to understand and implement it as soon as possible. Our Association works to convince society, the rest of the productive sectors and Public Administrations, of the need to join this Revolution," concluded de Riva.

The digital economy, pillar of economic growth

The star presentation at this 1st Digital Economy Meeting, sponsored by Google, was given by Paul Zwillenberg, partner and expert in digital economy at Boston Consulting Group, who spoke on The digital economy, pillar of economic growth.

Zwillenberg said that “the contribution of the digital economy to GDP has increased in recent years and will continue to do so” and assured that “electronic commerce is a key determinant of eGDP growth.” But in addition to the positive effect on GDP, he assures that "the Internet also has other advantages for the economy", a point that was overwhelming with the growth data in recent years of business through the Internet.

Regarding SMEs, for Zwillenberg, "The Internet has provided a series of levers to help SMEs grow by contributing to their geographical expansion, facilitating effective marketing, making personnel selection easier and faster, increasing the relationship with their clients, providing access to online tools and simplifying payments. But it also made SMEs a series of recommendations such as adopting a wide range of external and internal online tools given their proven ability to boost income and positions. work, prepare the organization to adopt and react to the Internet, react from the beginning to innovations, and be creative to overcome obstacles.

Referring to large companies, he stated that they must lead the Spanish digital ecosystem, invest in R&D to place Spain at the technological forefront, make a Capex effort that will improve access and return as a benefit, as well as feed the Spanish talent base through the continuous training of their employees.

Paul Zwillenberg's recommendations for regulators and governments include promoting investment in high-speed infrastructure, with greater coverage and affordable mobile/Internet access, prioritizing training and skills creation, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as facilitating the mobility of talent.