1. Bruselas, 11 de octubre de 2005 Iñaki Beristain Etxabe Head of the Economy & Planning PRESENT & FUTURE FOR THE OBJECTIVE OF COMPETITIVENESS & EMPLOYMENT: BEST PRACTICES THE BASQUE COUNTRY IN THE FACE OF THE NEW PROGRAMMING PERIOD OPEN DAYS 2005

2. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 2 1. Contents of the presentation n General preliminary framework: The Basque Country and the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy. n The Basque Country, best practices in the management of Community funds. n The Basque Country in the face of the new programming period.

3. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 3 2. General preliminary framework: The Basque Country and the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy 2.1Lisbon Strategy structural indicators: the Basque Country and the EU- 25

4. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 4 3. The Basque Country, best practices in Community fund management 3.1Financial efficacy of SPD objective nº 2 for the Basque Country 2000-2006 Comparative financial efficacy by axes in 2000-2004 (SDPs Obj.2)

5. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 5 3.3Comparison of quality Generality of cases of public bodies Costs incurred in regular jointly funded projects 3.4Summary Satisfactory level of financial efficacy obtained with adequate physical efficiency 3. The Basque Country, best practices in Community fund management 3.2Physical efficacy of SDPs for objective nº 2 in the Basque Country 2000-2006 Adequate

6. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 6 The Basque Country in the face of Strategic Community Directives 4.1Directive 1: Improve the attractiveness of Europe and its regions as a place to invest and work 4. The Basque Country in the face of the new programming period n Rail infrastructures, ensuring improved levels of access: Basque Y railway project. n Motorways of the sea & short-sea shipping: Euskadi-Aquitaine logistics platform. n Environmentally sustainable transport: tramway project. a) Expand and improve transport infrastructures n Environmental Strategy for Sustainable Development. Focusing key aspects in 5 long-term environmental goals (2020) b) Strengthen the synergies between environmental protection & growth c) Address the intensive use of traditional energy sources n Projects to improve energy efficiency & develop renewable & alternative technologies. Basque Energy Strategy.

7. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 7 4.2Directive 2: Improve knowledge and innovation for growth n Support R&TD activities in SMEs & enable them to access R&TD services from publicly funded research organisations. Basque Strategy for Innovation 2010 a) Increase & improve investment in technological R&D b) Facilitate innovation & promote entrepreneurship n Regional R&TD supply & more efficient education accessible to firms, & in particular to SMEs. Business & entrepreneurial support services. Basque Strategy for Innovation 2010 4. The Basque Country in the face of the new programming period n Implement ICTs in businesses and families. Encourage development of supply and demand for ICT products and services: Euskadi in the Information Society plan. Euskadi 2015: Business Competitiveness & Social Innovation. c) Promote the information society for all n Support for non grant instruments & actions aimed at specific groups, e.g. young entrepreneurs, women or disadvantaged groups, including ethnic minorities: Euskadi 2015: Business Competitiveness & Social Innovation. d) Improve access to finance

8. Ekonomia eta Plangintza Zuzendaritza Dirección de Economía y Planificación 8/01/04 8 4.3Directive 3: More & better jobs n Implement employment policies aimed at attaining full employment, improving standards and performance in work and strengthening social & territorial cohesion. Ensure inclusive labour markets for job-seekers and disadvantaged persons. Employment Plan. a) Attract and retain more people in employment and modernise social protection systems 4. The Basque Country in the face of the new programming period b) Improve the adaptability of workers and enterprise and the flexibility of the labour market n Contribute to the design of lifelong learning strategies (including local & sectorial levels): White Paper on Lifelong Learning. n Encourage participation in training processes by older or less qualified workers: Employment Plan n Prioritise training in ICTs, management skills, e-business: Euskadi in the Information Society plan and Euskadi 2015. n Extend & improve investment in human capital & adapt education & training systems in response to the requirements of the economy: Education Innovation Programmes & Innovation Strategy. c) Increase investment in human capital by improving education and qualifications d) Help maintain a healthy labour force n Prevent health risks: Master Plan for Occupational Health & Safety. With the mission of improving the quality of work of citizens through occupational health and safety