Google lands in Barcelona and promises to "generate impact" on Catalan economy

BarcelonaGoogle now has a (small) headquarters in Barcelona. This Wednesday, the company inaugurated its new offices in the Catalan capital in an event that brought together senior representatives of the Spanish government, the Generalitat and the City Council and in which the company underlined its commitment to contributing to local digital transformation. From these facilities, where about 40 people work, the multinational intends to boost its alliance with other technology companies in Barcelona and play a leading role in the transition to an increasingly digital economy and society.

The general manager of Google Spain and Portugal, Fuencisla Clemares, and the firm's director of public and institutional affairs, Miguel Escassi, spoke along these lines during the event, held in a former industrial space near Plaça Espanya. The offices, however, will be located on Gran Vía and Plaça Universitat. "Our goal is to generate impact in Catalonia, strengthen relationships and collaborate to boost the growth and internationalisation of the Catalan technology economy," said Escassi.

The director of the headquarters will be Danilo Colnaghi, who addressed the attendees in Catalan to introduce the inauguration. "We celebrate the beginning of a path of collaboration with the aim of educating, digitising and supporting more and more companies in this region, which is increasingly important for us".

Google landed in Spain in 2003 and the new office is a boost to its collaboration with public administrations and the productive fabric. The event was attended by Catalan president Pere Aragonès, Transport minister Raquel Sánchez, and Barcelona deputy mayor Jaume Collboni, among others. Sánchez stressed that Google's arrival in Barcelona is "a recognition" of the city's talent and its potential to face the challenges of the future. On this point, he said that the opening also confirms "that a new stage is opening under a new climate of coexistence, in order to attract companies and not scare them away".

€1m fund for the climate emergency

For his part, Pere Aragonès has assured that Google's commitment to Barcelona "shows how attractive the city and Catalonia are" for such innovative companies. "Catalonia has a strategic position as a gateway to Europe and Barcelona attracts talent and investment. We are aware of these assets and we want to take a step further with projects such as becoming the technology capital of southern Europe and the commitment to European chips," he said.

In a statement, Google has assured that its commitment to the Catalan capital is not limited to the business fabric and will focus, for example, on assisting the digital transition in the tourism sector, which accounts for 12% of Barcelona's GDP. The company has also highlighted that it will give Barcelona a €1m fund for projects aimed at alleviating the climate emergency and will offer help in digital skills.