Not long ago (now everything is going very fast!), I was commenting with other members of 22@NETWORK Barcelona about the prospects for 2020. We all pointed out that it would be a year of good prospects, although with some risks of slowdown... How far remain those words of the beginning of the year and how empty of content they are, since the world has changed completely and many changes will be accelerated.

The COVID-19 has tested us all. People, businesses, administrations and ecosystems have been subjected to a complex stress test, where human, economic and social issues have been -- and are being-- mixed simultaneously. And all this, in an environment of constant and unprecedented uncertainty, without an historical archive of similar situations where we can take to look for references.

This crisis has hit hard the basis of the classical economy, which contributes a large part of current GDP (domestic consumption and tourism), but especially highlights the great importance of innovation and industry as part of the solution and especially its relevance to the future. In the coming months and years we expect possible changes in consumption habits, in the way we travel and do tourism and changes in models of international relations. In this sense, voices are also emerging that want to bet on a local industry that provides quick, efficient and innovative responses to the needs that may arise. The wide variety of solutions provided by basic industry 4.0 technologies, such as 3D, are a clear example of what I am telling you about.

We, people and companies, have been affected by this crisis and we have all tried to contribute in some way. There have been contributions of all kinds, but ecosystems like 22 @ NETWORK Barcelona can become the key for overcoming this crisis and being prepared for the next ones. This combination of new economy companies, innovative and highly motivated staff are the basis of the transformative solutions that Barcelona needs.

Hopefully there will be no more crisis like this one, but for sure if a new one comes along we will all be better prepared and deal with it more effectively.

Joan Parra Farré

Executive Vice President / CEO LEITAT