Lleida has transitioned from a city with potential to one with leadership,” stated its mayor, Fèlix Larrosa, during his presentation “Lleida, the new engine of Catalonia’s economy” at the Encuentros La Vanguardia session held last week at the Cercle d’Economia in Barcelona, sponsored by Mercolleida, Parc Agrotechlleida Fira Lleida, Consell Econòmic i Social, Llotja de Lleida, Lleida Turisme, and the City Council of Lleida. n nThe Minister of Economy and Finance of the Government of Catalonia, Alícia Romero, introduced Larrosa’s presentation by emphasizing that “Lleida has many strengths to showcase” and that presenting them in Barcelona, in front of about a hundred representatives from the economic, political, and social sectors—including the Minister of the Presidency of the Government of Catalonia, Albert Dalmau, business organizations, professional colleges, and members of the consular corps, as well as political parties represented in the city council—is “a clear statement of intent.” n nPrior to the mayor’s presentation, Minister Alícia Romero highlighted the “modern vision” of the mayor, “deeply committed to talent,” who “leads a strong vision of the country from Ponent” with a “long-term perspective” to “respond to future generations.” In her view, Larrosa has a “city project that benefits citizens and generates shared prosperity.” n nThe “Lleida formula” involves “strengthening the agro-food sector” and “enhancing its strengths,” including available land, guaranteed water supply, energy generation capacity, talent in businesses, universities, research centers, and vocational training. “Additionally, we have ambition, enthusiasm, and interest,” added the mayor. Larrosa recalled a lecture given by Vicens Vives at the Cercle d’Economia 70 years ago, which already pointed out that Lleida has the “historical responsibility to be a source of wealth for all of Catalonia.” Today, “Lleida has moved from being a city with potential to one with leadership,” with a GDP growth of 40% over the past decade, and it is the city where social mobility works best, he celebrated. Lleida also has the most available and planned industrial land in Catalonia, up to 6 million square meters for projects linked to the agro-food sector, logistics, and circular economy, among others. n nIn the agro-food industry, which represents nearly 20% of Catalonia’s GDP according to Larrosa, “it is time to move from being the productive capital to becoming the capital of added value.” To achieve this, it has a “strong and diversified primary sector” with “recognized leadership” in sectors such as pork, sweet fruits, and cereals. Despite this, the mayor acknowledged the need for “greater public-private alignment.” To achieve this, the city is promoting projects such as the Agrobiotech Park, with a high-tech incubator; the new 116,000-square-meter exhibition center, which will allow Fira de Lleida to specialize in agro-industrial events, including one to be held in autumn, as well as collaborating with Fira de Barcelona; and reinforcing Mercolleida, where the global pork price is set. All of this aims to strengthen its role as a “hub” with “shared governance and a global purpose” that positions Lleida as a European reference in the agro-food industry. n nBarcelona is an ally in building a more balanced Catalan economy n n”Lleida should be known not only for what it produces but for how it produces it,” emphasized the mayor, who “bets on sustainability as a competitive advantage.” In parallel, he called for “connecting major infrastructures” to ensure that the Mediterranean and central corridors meet in Lleida, improving its connection with France, as “the link with Toulouse is key” for Lleida as a “reference point in the logistics sector.” n nFollowing Barcelona’s 22@ district, Lleida has the second-largest concentration of technology companies in Catalonia. One of the city’s main “concerns” is “attracting and retaining talent,” which involves promoting knowledge through the University of Lleida and vocational training, as well as ensuring that the housing market does not hinder growth and talent development. Lleida is already an entrepreneurship hub. n nLleida bets on sustainability as added value for its competitiveness n nAt the Cercle d’Economia, Fèlix Larrosa concluded his presentation by insisting that Barcelona is a “strategic ally” for “competing at a European scale” and “building a more balanced and diverse Catalan economy” with “values” and the capacity to “connect global opportunities.” The mayor announced the launch of the Invest in Lleida office, to be formalized with the Government of Catalonia and the Lleida Chamber of Commerce, and the approval of a new ordinance to boost economic activity aimed at promoting high-value projects through an “easy administration that does not create obstacles but rather generates trust, and is agile, efficient, and transparent.” n nFollowing the mayor’s presentation, a roundtable titled “Lleida, an emerging capital: competitiveness and economic opportunities” was held, featuring the president of Alier, Elisabet Alier; the president of Vallformosa, Josep Graells; the president of Aena, Maurici Lucena; and the president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Josep Santacreu, moderated by La Vanguardia’s chief economics editor, Elisenda Vallejo. n nEducation is a key factor in promoting talent and entrepreneurship n nElisabet Alier noted that Lleida is a “very welcoming territory for attracting investments, with institutions that offer support.” In her opinion, attracting companies committed to “sustainability” and the “circular economy” can serve as a “tool for competitiveness and talent attraction” along with “support for entrepreneurship” and “strengthening the business fabric of Lleida,” through “university-business collaboration” and “vocational training.” n n”Education creates opportunities,” agreed Vallformosa’s president, Josep Graells, who is convinced of the importance of ensuring that “talent does not have to migrate to thrive” and that “those who have left Lleida can return to contribute.” The “agro-food ecosystem,” according to Graells, must “lead the Mediterranean vision of agro-agriculture” and “work together with the regions of Aragon.” n nLleida’s agro-food sector represents nearly 20% of Catalonia’s GDP n nAena’s president, Maurici Lucena, recalled that Lleida has “two airports nearby” and is one and a half hours away from both Barcelona and Zaragoza airports, “just like the travel time from central London to Heathrow or from central Paris to Charles de Gaulle.” In his view, with successful cases like BonÀrea, “Lleida is an example of business capability.” n nThe president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Josep Santacreu, who is originally from Guissona, noted that it is necessary to achieve “greater territorial balance” and “cities with their own momentum.” Santacreu believes that a “territorial alliance” must be created to compete globally, as “we must all move forward together—from the business world, the public sector, and civil society—with areas such as universities. Let’s work together to make things happen,” he concluded.