- The director of Igape, Covadonga Toca, presented to the Parliament of Galicia the actions undertaken by the Institute in the first quarter, during which, for the first time, 15 lines of aid were launched simultaneously, later joined by four more focused on internationalisation
- She highlighted the commitment to financing through direct loans or credit lines in collaboration with mutual guarantee societies and financial institutions
- In the area of competitiveness, Igape implemented programmes totalling over €46 million, including the line to attract new productive investment to Galicia (€12 million) and the support programme for start‑ups, aimed at emerging companies needing to validate their ideas on the market
- Regarding innovation, she emphasised three new programmes: IA360 (€10.2 million) to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence in Galician SMEs, Igape Innova (€4 million) and Ticket Innova (€1 million)
- She also underlined the €12.5 million allocated to internationalisation through programmes such as Galicia Exporta Empresas and FOEXGA, supported by Igape’s network of business antennas, which this year will open a new office in Brazil
- She highlighted other tools such as Xesgalicia, which will mobilise €22 million in investments this year, and the Economic Office of Galicia, which, in its first year of operation, has already handled more than 21,000 enquiries and advised on over 200 strategic projects
Santiago, 15 May 2025
The director of Igape, Covadonga Toca, appeared today before the Parliament of Galicia to present the actions undertaken by the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (Igape) in the first quarter of the year. For the first time in the institute’s history, fifteen different aid lines were opened in January, later joined by four specific programmes to support internationalisation — in total, 19 support measures mobilising over €186 million. “Never before has so much been deployed, so quickly and so strategically, for Galician companies,” she stated.
Her address, structured around four pillars — financing, competitiveness, innovation and internationalisation — outlined a comprehensive portfolio of initiatives “aimed at full coverage, based on the conviction that the best economic policy is to stand alongside businesses.”
The new financial model activated by Igape combines direct loans, guaranteed credit lines and interest subsidies, mobilising more than €115 million in public resources. The Igape direct loan line, endowed with €50 million, offers very advantageous interest rates and allows the financing of strategic projects in innovation, internationalisation, working capital and corporate restructuring.
Meanwhile, the credit access line aims to formalise more than a thousand operations and put €150 million in credit into circulation, with subsidies of up to 1.8 points. Moreover, a specific line has been launched for large companies in the province of A Coruña within the framework of the Just Transition Fund, alongside debt renewal facilities and interest allowances for operations financed through European or public instruments.
Boosting competitiveness
In the field of business competitiveness, Igape has implemented measures worth €46 million. Among them are the business implantation line (€12 million), offering up to 35% grants for both tangible and intangible investment, and a line to support equipment investment (€10 million).
To foster innovative entrepreneurship, Toca highlighted the renewed start‑up support programme with a budget of €1.5 million. Additionally, €3 million is allocated to digital transformation and €700,000 to multidisciplinary workshops. Business clusters benefit from a dedicated line financing cooperation, internationalisation, training and shared innovation plans.
Strategic innovation
Building on this foundation, Toca stressed that Igape has launched a pioneering set of programmes to promote innovation within the productive fabric, totalling over €15 million in this first quarter. The IA360 programme (€10.2 million) is aimed at introducing artificial intelligence to SMEs through both proprietary technological development and integration of commercial tools and training initiatives.
She continued by noting that the Igape Innova line supports digital transformation projects, product design and production efficiency, while Ticket Innova provides simple, agile access to innovation for smaller SMEs. These three programmes, she added, are part of the institute’s new Business Innovation Area, whose mission is to coordinate partners, connect resources and build networks within Galicia’s R&D&I ecosystem.
Commitment to internationalisation
Toca also stressed Igape’s continued commitment to internationalisation, with €12.5 million dedicated this year to supporting Galician companies’ entry into foreign markets.
Through Galicia Exporta Empresas (€8.3 million), SMEs can obtain funds for participation in international fairs, overseas marketing campaigns or digitalisation projects geared towards exports. The Galicia Exporta Organismos Intermedios line (€1.5 million) promotes collective international promotion campaigns, while FOEXGA (€2.38 million) facilitates joint participation at events via the chambers of commerce. Large enterprises have a specific FOEXGA line (€250,000) aimed at driving SME participation.
In addition, Igape’s network of international antennas provides on‑the‑ground support in strategic markets such as Mexico, the United States, Morocco, China, Japan and the UAE, acting as advanced delegations that provide “the first point of contact for Galician companies entering new countries.”
Altogether, these offices cover a potential market of over two billion consumers. Work is ongoing to open two new ones — the first in Brazil to strengthen ties with the Latin American market, and another currently under assessment.
Xesgalicia and the Economic Office
Toca also highlighted the role of Xesgalicia, with available investment balances of €140 million and an impact that exceeds its financial input: “Each operation attracts more than twice as much private investment.” Examples such as Fandicosta, Marsan and Sabor de Mar illustrate its stabilising role, while start‑ups like UARX SPACE and Centum showcase its support for disruptive innovation.
Finally, she stressed that all this extensive framework is complemented by the Economic Office of Galicia, which is becoming a key contact point for companies: over 21,000 enquiries handled, 950 meetings organised and 200 projects advised since its creation in April 2024.
“This is an initiative designed to streamline relations between companies and the administration,” the director summarised, “removing bureaucratic obstacles and providing a comprehensive advisory and support service. We want an administration that speaks their language, anticipates their challenges and walks alongside them.”
