The Basque Government is committed to establishing a new model for growth based on innovation. Therefore, the Lehendakari, Patxi López has announced that, within the framework of the Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, the executive has established the objective of ensuring that investment in research and development within Basque companies reaches 3% of the GDP by 2015. This entails, according to the Lehendakari, "introducing the gene of innovation within our shared DNA".

The Lehendakari, accompanied by the Basque Minister for Industry, Innovation, Trade and Tourism, visited the Ideko installations, a technological centre specialising in industrial manufacture and production that forms a part of the IK4 Technological Alliance in Elgoibar (Gipuzkoa) and which has celebrated its 25th anniversary.

During his address, Mr López affirmed that the Basque Government has made innovation "a transversal policy, affecting each and every Ministry and each every policy". He added that, this year, with Budgets "lashed and abated by the crisis, with a very considerable drop in tax collection, our commitment to R&D continues". The Lehendakari reminded those in attendance that, according to Eustat data, "for the first time in our history," the Basque Country has broken the barrier of 2% of GDP invested in this area. Last year, in spite of the crisis, growth of 6% was registered.