The family business, the heart of the country
88% of Catalan businesses are family-owned. Keeping them alive is not just an economic matter, but an act of collective generosity that ensures wealth, talent, and decision-making here. Businesses are human projects, and in the case of family businesses, this takes on a special dimension. Not only do they represent almost the entire productive fabric of the country, but they are the clearest example of a deeply rooted, committed economy with a vision for the future.
A family business is not just a business: it's a legacy. It's the transmission of values: effort, trust, responsibility, which explain a large part of Catalan economic culture. Those of us who have been involved in these circles for some time know that there are no single management formulas; each family must find its own way. If there is a succession plan with the necessary skills and dedication, fantastic; if not, bringing in external leadership is a good option. The important thing is to maintain the essence of governance, the heart that allows decision-making to continue within the country. This is an act of generosity toward society and means, among other things, maintaining jobs, creating wealth, and circulating knowledge within the region.
When a family business is sold or relocates, not only does an economic activity disappear, but a part of the country that understands and loves its environment is also lost. Family businesses are the fabric that connects the economy and the community, innovation and proximity. They hire, yes, but above all, they foster cohesion.
The world around us is not simple. China has shattered the idea that economic progress would bring more individual freedom. It is a planned economy, but an efficient one, with a global vision and a commitment to dominating strategic sectors. The United States, for its part, maintains its technological leadership. And Europe? It is still searching for its voice. We cannot imagine a Europe, for example, with twenty-five armies led by twenty-five generals. The future, therefore, demands coordination, ambition, and a common strategy.
In this scenario, the European—and Catalan—family business has a clear mission: to combine roots and innovation, proximity and technology. Therefore, we need two key levers. The first is the company's own effort to innovate, attract talent, make agile and visionary decisions, and also nurture more intangible values, such as the ability to share leadership and avoid rivalries. The second is external, involving the adaptation of the system: less bureaucracy, a competitive energy model, infrastructure that functions according to our reality, and financing models aligned with the needs of businesses. In this sense, instruments such as the Raíces Fund of the Catalan Finance Institute, designed to help family businesses grow without losing their essence, are a good example.
Catalonia has talent, an ecosystem, and initiative thanks to the vision of people like Andreu Mas-Colell, who today places Catalonia on the global research map. But it is necessary to strengthen the bridges between innovation and industry, between the entrepreneurial world and the productive world. And above all, we must believe in our way of doing business. Preserving family businesses is preserving our economic, social, and cultural identity. And we have exemplary examples like Agromillora, Hipra, and Avinent, family businesses that compete in the most demanding markets and project the country onto the world stage.
We are a committed, creative, and resilient country that has always been open to the world and dedicated to providing opportunities for all citizens. However, it is also time to consider what economic and social model we want. In the social sphere, we enjoy a very extensive safety net, represented by a third sector that works with admirable dedication. In the economic sphere, there is no doubt that industry must be nurtured, especially that which does not relocate, that which is in touch with innovation and technology, which fosters the development of new opportunities, which enables the virtuous cycle for the rest of the economy and leads to higher wages. But above all, that localized industry that makes decisions from Catalonia.
Investing in industry is investing in the future of everyone, those of us already here and the newcomers. Everything—technological progress, employment, social cohesion, and well-being—depends on it. And it is with rooted, innovative, and committed family businesses that Catalonia—and Europe—can continue to be one of the best places in the world to live, work, and build a future.
