Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A world first

Microsoft has announced its intentions to build the first centre for sanitary research in the Valencian community. Yesterday, the president of the Generalitat, Francisco Camps signed an agreement in New York with the company to make this happen.

What hasn’t been announced is the location of the new centre for research and development. Microsoft favours Alicante because of its good air links, the existing sanitary companies there and the large number of retired residents. The Consell on the other hand has shown a preference for either Valencia or Castellón.

Most of the large town and cities in the province have made their bids including Elche, Torrevieja and Benidorm. However, Alicante has already offered Microsoft space in the technology park area of the city. Camps says that an announcement will be made in the next couple of weeks.

Francisco Camps is in New York selling the Valencian community to the industrialists there. He describes the community as “the front door to the south of Europe”. He says that events like the Volvo Ocean Race and the F1 circuit demonstrate how the area can attract investment. At the same time he has emphasised the impact the the new high speed rail link with Madrid will make. Camps adds that “we are good manufacturers, agriculturists, retailers and, mainly, excellent hosts”.  I think we would all agree with that. Let us hope his mission is successful.

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