SMEs are one of the engines of the Spanish economic and social system. As well as making up 99.8% of the country’s business sector, they create two-thirds of jobs – 66% of employment – many of them permanent. Thanks to its key role in promoting skills through training and promoting international operations, exports and opening up new markets. They are the protagonists and promoters of many innovation and digitization initiatives and socially responsible projects. “SMEs are the heart of the Spanish economy,” Nadia Calvino, First Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, acknowledged recently at the presentation of the 2022 National SME Award.
At a ceremony organized by Banco Santander and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in association with Grupo Prisa, Calvino highlighted Spain’s efforts in promoting green and digital transformation. During his speech, he recalled the importance of “making full use of the opportunities that this technological change offers us with determination and efficiency” and the need to “provide a security framework for citizens and companies.” For this, it is necessary to consolidate the progress made in recent years, as this will allow “the culmination of the modernization process of our country”.
The role of industrialists in economic and social progress should be justified
Luis Izaci, President of Santander Spain
At the opening ceremony of the event in Madrid, Luis Izaci, President of Santander Spain, expressed his gratitude to the participating SMEs. According to him, it is necessary to “build confidence by all, public and private sector, to attract more investment and reduce unemployment”. Isassi stressed that one of Banco Santander’s priorities is to “encourage the growth of companies and SMEs in all regions and production sectors.” “It is a privilege to be here with eminent businessmen and to prove once again your very important role in creating economic and social progress,” he added. “SMEs are a social good,” he asserted.
For his part, José Luis Bonnet, president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, praised the resilience and determination of SMEs to continue creating jobs, opening up to the outside world, investing in innovation and increasing their social impact. Bonnet also appealed to the “necessary” transformation process that many small and medium-sized companies must undergo. “Those of you who have reached this final are champions of change. you go up “With the help of European funds and the joint work of the public and private sectors, SMEs must transform themselves,” he said. Indeed, one of the items of the next generation of EU funds coming from Brussels is entirely dedicated to small and medium enterprises, with investments reaching 4,894 million euros.
With European funds and the work of the public and private sectors, we need to transform SMEs
Jose Luis Bonnet, President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Excellent in company
At the event, the Asturian company Fernández-Vega Ophthalmology was awarded the VI National SME Award of the Year. Nadia Calvino highlighted the research work carried out by the institute and emphasized that “humanity” in patient care is a “value to have while excelling in the business sector”. The Ophthalmology Clinic, which stands out for its industrial development of the prosthesis that has brought about a revolution in corneal transplantation, has been recognized for its “iron commitment to sustainable and quality employment”.
Luis Fernández-Vega, president of the Fernández-Vega Ophthalmology Institute, expressed his “satisfaction” to be a finalist alongside other companies representing “the best and fundamental to our country’s economy.” The businessman pointed out that this recognition “honours us enough to encourage us to continue to progress in our work”. Fernández-Vega took the opportunity to highlight the need to strengthen communications in a “peripheral community” such as Asturias, where the company he directs is headquartered.
The jury, which selected the winning SME, evaluated various aspects such as the creation of permanent employment, training activities for employees, internationalization of the company, digitization and innovation initiatives and sustainable projects. On this occasion, it was made up of the President of the Chamber of Spain, José Luis Bonét; Santander Spain CEO, Angel Rivera and Director of Companies, Asier González Linaza; Director of the Chamber of Spain, Inmaculada Riara; Director Five days and Deputy Director of EL PAÍS, Amanda Mars; General Director of Prisa Media Press, Juan Canton, and President of the Commission for Spain’s Chamber of SMEs, Isabel Puig Ferrer, served as Secretary.
Luis Fernandez-Vega: “The relationship with the patient is the most important thing”
In 1886, Dr. Adolfo Fernández-Vega, who specialized as an ophthalmologist after training in Paris, opened a practice in Oviedo with the intention of turning it into a reference. Today, 135 years after that pioneer’s dream, the Fernandez-Vega Institute of Ophthalmology (IOFV) reaches 110,000 patients, surpasses 10,000 surgeries per year, positioning itself as a world reference center for its commitment to quality care, excellence and innovation. and teaching. With its headquarters in the Asturian capital, the center has been recognized as the SME of 2022 by Banco Santander and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce.
Today, the fifth generation of the Fernández-Vega saga is responsible for the company, which is owned by the Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica (FIO). The fundamental pillars of this company, a pioneer in refractive surgery in Spain, are research and innovation, which makes it possible to correct graduation defects such as myopia, astigmatism, farsightedness and presbyopia.
The company’s range of treatments doesn’t stop there, as it also specializes in treating glaucoma through minimally invasive and retinal surgery. Detachment surgery, macular diseases and oculoplasties are among the many diseases addressed in IOFV.
“Our whole family has grown up seeing that care and the relationship with patients is the most important thing. We know how to pass it on from parents to children,” explains its president, Luis Fernández-Vega. The values of commitment to service and patient care have remained the same since the end of the 19th century. To each, the doctor continues, they apply “just the right ratio of science, affection, understanding and encouragement.” And the formula works and believes.
The medical institution has a history of 135 years, reaches 110,000 patients and performs more than 10,000 surgeries annually.
According to the Health Reputation Monitor, for the second year in a row, IOFV has been selected as the private center with the best reputation among health professionals and patients in Spain. The medical-surgical operation is carried out at the Oviedo headquarters. Madrid has the first clinical center for testing and tracking users.
It currently has 240 employees, almost all permanent, and the female employment rate is 74%. “The sum of diversity and talent enriches us, makes us more competitive, and allows us to expand our vision and growth,” says the center’s president.
Mission of the Foundation
The cornerstone of its operation revolves around specialized care. At all times, its experts have harmoniously integrated clinical practice, surgery, research and teaching. “There are few such role models in the private medical sector. Not only in Spain, but also in the countries around us”, says Dr. Fernandez-Vega with pride. Likewise, the company sponsors a foundation that provides eye care to underserved groups in different parts of the world, from Liberia to Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Peru, as well as in Spain and NGOs.
The company has 240 workers, almost all permanent, and the female employment rate is 75%.
The continuous effort of its experts to stay up-to-date on diagnoses and treatments and understanding the basics of diseases affecting the eye explains why patients from all over the planet come to IOFV every year. More than six languages are spoken in its facilities and relations are fostered at all levels with many countries around the world. “Being an SME requires a lot of effort and commitment from all the people who work here,” admits its president.
Commitment pays off: The combination of research, digitization and internationalization, together with excellent business management, helps create value for patients. Regardless of the eye diseases they suffer from, one visit is enough to return home with a clear diagnosis.
Figures of Prizes of 2022 edition
- 1776 subscribers. In this sixth edition of this year’s National SME Award, 1,776 small and medium enterprises from 50 provinces and the autonomous city of Ceuta registered.
- A unique competition. This year’s call has the participation of 49 regional chambers of commerce. It is one of the highest national recognitions.
- Note in the field. Since 2017, the year the National SME Award of the Year was implemented, 9,069 small and medium enterprises have already participated.
- requirements. Participating small and medium-sized enterprises have fewer than 250 employees in the country and a turnover of less than 50 million euros.
- New call. The VII edition of the SME of the Year Award is already underway. So far, 1,629 companies have applied for the award. Number increases: Provincial records still missing.
Access to specifying companies
Apart from the National SME Award of the year, a series of national accolades were awarded. The Murcian company Fama, capable of producing 600 customized sofas per day and whose exports reach 60 countries on five continents, is recognized for its internationalization.
For its part, the Gipuzkoan company BioTech Foods, specialized in the production of meat through its cell culture technology, won the second prize in the field of innovation and digitization. Meanwhile, SME from Castellon Four hundred Accredited for training and employment for its ability to develop digital management and cyber security solutions to improve the performance of organizations. Finally, Acttia from A Coruña was awarded for its work as a sustainable SME, dedicated to managing waste and distributing biofuels.
Five day program
The most important economic appointments of the day, with keys and context for understanding their purpose.
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