During the sixth edition of the World Smart City Expo Korea 2022, an event held in Seoul, South Korea, Barcelona was declared the best foreign smart city.
She was chosen for her leadership and governance in innovative projects in different fields related to its technological transformation. What stands out from this recognition is that the international community accustomed to using innovative technology to grow urban environments, chose Barcelona as the most advanced smart city located outside Asia-Pacific.
The recognition as the best foreign Smart City, distinguishes Barcelona as one of the cities most committed to innovation. All by supporting projects that promote technological transformation in different and diverse fields of application.
Barcelona the best foreign smart city
Another factor that led the city to obtain this award was the promotion of the “Barcelona Green Deal” plan. This plan seeks to strengthen key strategic sectors in areas such as the digital and creative economy. Also in biology, health, industry 4.0 and the urban transformation of the Superilles project and the northern sector of the 22@ Technology District.
The Barcelona City Council reported that a delegation of professionals from the Barcelona City Council’s International Economic Promotion team went to the South Korean capital to receive the award. Also to strengthen business, institutional and innovation relations with this Asian country.
The Commissioner of City Promotion, Pau Solanilla, said that Barcelona has worked hard to position itself as a hub of digital innovation in southern Europe.
In fact, its goal is to become the reference capital and gateway to Asia. In this sense, consolidating ties with Korea (the tenth largest economy in the world and the most innovative) is vital for the city.
The fruits of the visit to Seoul
This visit represented the closing of agreements with the Seoul Business Agency, SBA, Barcelona Activa’s counterpart. Agreements were also reached with the Korean International Trade Association, KITA, which is made up of companies from different business sectors and the Korean Chamber of Commerce.
These agreements seek to strengthen and explore opportunities and alliances for the promotion of innovative startups in the two territories. They also seek to facilitate the access of technology companies to business platforms, together with the opening of internationalization channels for technology companies in Barcelona and the attraction of investors.
In addition to these business meetings, the Barcelona delegation also participated in a meeting with 60 Korean tour operators in Seoul, within the framework of the Joan Miró, dones, ocells i estels exhibition at the My Art Museum, MAMU.
The meeting promoted Barcelona as a tourist and cultural destination for Korean visitors.
