DFactory Barcelona has been recognized as one of the Best Innovation Zones in the World at the 12th World Free Zones Congress, held this week at the Panama Convention Center. The award was granted by the international platform Real Asset Media to the model developed by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona.
The award comes at a forum dedicated to free zones, but it distinguishes a project that Pere Navarro places beyond the classic management of industrial land. The executive president of the CZFB argued in Panama that DFactory represents the step towards an advanced industrial innovation ecosystem based on collaboration between companies, multinationals, and technology centers.
The award recognizes a center linked to Industry 4.0
DFactory Barcelona concentrates activity related to artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, sensors, and 3D printing. Real Asset Media has highlighted its role as an innovation center connected to Industry 4.0 and capable of bringing together business and technological players in the same space.
During the award ceremony, Pere Navarro and the general director of the CZFB, Blanca Sorigué, received the award from Courtney Fingar at the congress organized by the World Free Zones Organization. The distinction places the Barcelona facility among projects noted for their ability to redefine the function of free zones.
Navarro linked the recognition to the model promoted by the Zona Franca de Barcelona. In his speech, he maintained that DFactory represents the shift from land management to the activation of an innovation ecosystem in which collaboration acts as a competitiveness factor.
"It is a great pride to receive this recognition because it highlights the paradigm shift in the industrial model that DFactory represents" - Pere Navarro, executive president of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona
Sorigué argued in Panama that free zones must evolve
Blanca Sorigué participated in a debate on leadership in times of transformation. There, she proposed that free zones must move towards active innovation platforms capable of accelerating new production models and generating sustainable economic impact.
The general director of the CZFB focused on bringing together talent, industry, and technology within the same ecosystem. In her opinion, this concentration shortens the time between the development of an idea and its real application, and strengthens industrial competitiveness through public-private collaboration.
There was also room for sustainability. In another panel, Navarro stated that sustainability already influences investment decisions and improves business resilience, while also positioning it as a competitiveness factor within the green industrial transformation.
The CZFB took advantage of the congress to open institutional contacts
The Barcelona delegation held meetings during their stay in Panama with institutional officials and sector organizations. Among them were the Minister of Commerce and Industries of Panama, Julio Moltó, and the president of the World Free Zones Organization, Mohammed Alzarooni.
In addition, the CZFB met with Nan Li Collins, president of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones, and with representatives from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Association of Free Zones of the Americas. The award was presented at the Panama Convention Center during the 12th World Free Zones Congress.