●     Born in Bilbao (Bizkaia) on 24 July 1959.

●     Holder of a bachelor’s degree in Economic Law from the University of Deusto.

●     European at the Institute of European Studies of the University of Deusto.

●     Drawing up of Community Policies, European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht.

●     Internal Market, European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht.

●     Languages: Basque, Spanish, English and French.

●     Posts held in the Basque Government: Head Legal Adviser to the Department of Industry and Trade (1984-1986), Head Attorney at the Department of Justice and the Premier’s Office (1986-1987), Director of the Technical Secretariat General of the Department of Labour and Social Security (1987-1991), Director of the Office of the First Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs (1991-1995), Adviser to the Department of Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries (1995-1999) and Advisor with Deputy Minister status at the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (1999-2003).

●     Basque Govt. Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism since January 2004.