Technology and defence company Indra is holding a meeting in Barcelona today, Monday, with over 200 participants from the innovation and security industry ecosystem. The event aims to explore new strategic alliances. Indra already has agreements with 350 entities across Catalonia, with 130 of these linked to the security and defence sector.
Catalan President Salvador Illa will close the conference. Other government members attending include Jaume Baró, CEO of Acció, the public agency for competitiveness, and Javier Selva, director general of knowledge transfer and society. Beyond government representation, attendees also include Ana Moliner, Innovation and Business Director at i2CAT; Jordi Berenguer, Vice-Rector of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia-BarcelonaTech; and Joan Farnos, Head of Dual-Use Technologies at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
Indra's Growth Plan for Catalonia
Indra will use today's meeting to present its Growth Plan for Catalonia. This plan focuses on strengthening the company's capabilities in dual-use technologies, which are applicable in both civil and military fields, as well as cybersecurity, cyber defence, and space. The company currently manages over €365 million in business from Catalonia and employs more than 3,500 people across the four provinces.
Last week, during a meeting at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Indra CEO José Vicente de los Mozos positioned the company as a "driving force" for the dual industry in Catalonia, stating that the region has "potential." In line with this, Jaume Duch, the Catalan Minister for Foreign Action, argued that "Catalonia cannot escape" Europe's commitment to developing its military and defence industry. His counterpart in the Business and Labour portfolio, Miquel Sàmper, confirmed that the Catalan administration "has supported this industry from the outset."
Recent Shareholder Changes
Indra has recently been in the news due to changes in its shareholding. The Escribano brothers exited the company's capital last week through an accelerated market placement. The new holders of these shares are not yet known. Indra is considered a strategic company, with the Spanish state as its main shareholder, holding 28% of the shares.
