Canarian Expertise to Boost Colombia’s Naval Sector
The Department of Economy, Industry, Trade and Self-Employed Workers of the Canary Islands Government has awarded a grant to the Provincial Federation of Metal and New Technology Companies of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Femete). The funding, granted for reasons of public and economic interest, will develop the project “Conectando Colombia: Canary Islands-Colombia Alliances for Technical Training and Sustainable Business Development”.
Strategic Goals and Project Framework
Framed within the “Promotion of Internationalisation Projects” scheme, the grant supports a strategic objective to reinforce the Canary Islands’ presence as a key player in the Blue Economy. It specifically targets the shipyard, welding, and industrial technology sectors, connecting Canarian expertise with one of Latin America’s most significant naval hubs. According to the granting order, “Conectando Colombia” aims to enhance the archipelago’s capacity as a provider of specialised technical training, transferring knowledge and advanced pedagogical models to Colombian institutions.
A Comprehensive Training and Business Programme
The project is structured around a comprehensive teacher training programme in technical competencies. This is complemented by cross-cutting sessions on equality and sustainability, work placements in companies, and masterclasses delivered by international specialists. This approach consolidates the positioning of Femete and the wider Canarian industrial sector as benchmarks for professional training linked to the naval industry, reinforcing their added value in international markets.
The resolution also highlights that the initiative directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 8, and 9. It strengthens the Canary Islands’ commitment to quality education, gender equality, decent work, and sustainable industrial development. Furthermore, it positions the archipelago as a reliable and responsible partner in international cooperation, bolstering the institutional and business reputation of both the Canary Islands Government and Femete.
Trade Mission to Forge Business Links
Integral to the project is a business mission to Cartagena de Indias, with Bogotá as a potential additional destination. This mission is designed to generate strategic contacts, open business opportunities, foster alliances, and help Canarian companies identify areas for cooperation and expansion within the Colombian industrial ecosystem. Activities will include visits to shipyards, business meetings, and the organisation of a sector-specific event to promote networking and cooperation.
Through this action, the project aims to deliver concrete business returns by driving agreements, technical transfers, and the consolidation of bilateral relationships. This will strengthen the competitiveness of Tenerife’s metallurgical and technology sector.
A Strategic Opportunity for International Growth
Following news of the grant award, the President of Femete, Juan Antonio Jiménez, emphasised that “this is a strategic opportunity that reinforces the international projection of our companies and consolidates the Canary Islands as a benchmark for specialised training linked to the naval and metallurgical sectors.”
Jiménez highlighted that “combining the business mission with a train-the-trainer programme will create highly valuable synergies. On one hand, we are opening commercial doors in a key Latin American market. On the other, we are exporting knowledge and advanced methodologies that strengthen our reputation and generate sustainable business returns.” He concluded: “This project drives new expansion opportunities for the Canarian industrial fabric, while demonstrating that our autonomous community can lead impactful initiatives in technical training, international cooperation, and sustainable development.”
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