New opportunities Constantí Serrallonga General Manager of Fira de Barcelona The 2017 report presented by Fira de companies, while deploying initiatives that Barcelona attests to its solid economic have a significant social impact. The fact that and performance, both in the number of Barcelona is already the fifth most-preferred shows and congresses held and for their european city for start-ups in the tech sector quality and the tremendous response. and is emerging as the hub for southern Achieved in a more favourable economic europe could hardly be explained without the context but at the same time in a complex presence of the Mobile World Congress, environment, these results reflect Fira’s the work of the Mobile World Capital financial health, thanks to its effective policy Barcelona or corporate events in the sector of cost containment, technology investment, held at Fira. portfolio diversification and economies of scale, with a global balance that can only be Environment modernisation considered positive. it can be said that, with the economic crisis They also testify to the solid performance now behind us, new challenges must now of the institution’s three main lines of business: be faced by working to promote activity the success of its own shows, the level of to the benefit of the productive fabric, events organised by other operators, companies and society, in the awareness especially at an international level, and a that job creation and social progress are growing presence abroad. Moreover, they are impossible without it. With this in mind, the a reflection of the itment and dedication positive impact of Fira’s activity on the city comm and the region, as well as new synergies of the whole team involved in the day-to-day opportunities at various levels cannot running of Fira de Barcelona. and be stressed too much. The institution has made a strategic Throughout 2017, Fira de Barcelona has commitment to innovation, knowledge and clearly stressed its commitment to industrial competitiveness, placing internationalisation network, facing new challenges concerning centre stage. Thanks to the organisation, technology, digitalisation, sustainability and successful attracting of new clients and holding increased competitiveness. The institution’s international events both at its venues and in commitment to industry 4.0 and the renovation other countries, access to foreign markets for of classic shows in the fair calendar are part Catalan and Spanish companies is fostered. of this framework of contribution to the growth Fira is a great business platform that helps and modernisation of the economic and social to open up new windows of opportunity for environment. FOReWORd — 11