During his presentation, titled “What can we expect from the Aragonese and European economies?”, López Cabeza analyzed Aragon’s economic situation, highlighting its favorable starting position, with GDP per capita equivalent to 102.5% of the European average and industry accounting for 28.2% of employment. However, he warned that “the effort in R&D remains insufficient, accounting for 1.16% of GDP, compared with 1.50% in Spain and 2.26% in the EU. The challenge is to transform this industrial strength into more innovation, productivity and added value.”
Airbe held a new edition of its Breakfast à la carte format
In this regard, he stressed that “artificial intelligence and the widespread adoption of AI agents will transform production processes, the organization of companies and employment”; for this reason, he emphasized the importance of continuous training and adapting jobs.
Regarding competitiveness, the economist underscored the need to strengthen collaboration among companies, universities, research and technology centers, and vocational training institutions, with the aim of connecting knowledge with the needs of the productive sector and extending innovation to small and medium-sized enterprises.
He also addressed the opportunities offered by major industrial investments, particularly in the automotive sector. “The alliance between Stellantis and Leapmotor and the CATL and Stellantis battery gigafactory are opening a new era for Aragon’s automotive industry, with transformative potential comparable to GM’s arrival in Figueruelas,” he said. However, he warned that their impact will depend on developing technological capabilities, engineering activity, local supplier networks and skilled employment.
Regarding the rise of data centers, López Cabeza highlighted that these investments “place Aragon before a major opportunity in the digital economy,” although he noted that their scale alone does not guarantee benefits for the territory. In this regard, he considered it essential to attract skilled employment, encourage the participation of Aragonese companies and extend the use of artificial intelligence across the business community.
The Association brought together executives and businesspeople to analyze the challenges facing the productive sector
Finally, he concluded that “Aragon’s challenge is not merely to attract investment or adopt new technologies, but to turn these opportunities into greater productivity, quality employment and added value.” To achieve this, he insisted on strengthening investment in R&D, collaboration between companies and knowledge centers, and worker training.
The event was held with the collaboration of Grupo Aragón Digital and attended by a broad representation of companies from different towns in the Lower Ebro Ribera, which showed great interest in Jesús López Cabeza’s presentation and in learning about Aragon’s economic outlook and the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the region.
ABOUT JESÚS LÓPEZ CABEZA.
He holds a degree in Economics and Business Studies from the University of Zaragoza, a master’s degree in Communication Research from the University of Vigo and a diploma in European Communities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A chartered auditor with specialized training in inspection from the Bank of Spain, he has extensive experience in public- and private-sector management.
He has served as director general of the Aragonese Radio and Television Corporation (CARTV) on two occasions, deputy managing director of the Aragonese Development Institute (IAF) and chief executive officer of Walqa Technology Park. In academia, he has worked as an associate professor at the University of Zaragoza and director of the Master’s in Leadership and Public Administration at San Jorge University, as well as serving on various boards of directors in sectors including finance, technology, agri-food and tourism.
