The Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) held a working session today in Ripoll with about fifteen businessmen and businesswomen, both from the city and from nearby towns, with the aim of listening to the projects of companies, the future challenges of the area's economic fabric and the financing needs of companies.

During the meeting, it was announced that the ICF has financed, over the last three years, 289 companies and entities in the regions of Girona for a total amount of 174 million euros. As for the Ripollès region, 11 clients have been financed for a value of 2.7 million euros. Regarding the sectors, 37% of the resources have been directed to the agri-food industry and the primary sector, 27% to the manufacturing industry, another 27% to trade, tourism and transport and 9% to construction and public works.

The meeting began with the opening speech by the CEO of the ICF, Vanessa Servera, who highlighted the ICF's desire to listen first-hand to businessmen and women who play a key role in the dynamism of the Catalan economy in this territory and the fact that the ICF is a useful and agile instrument for the financing of companies in Ripollès.

Then, Lluís Bruguera, the ICF's Girona delegate, shared the different financial solutions that the ICF makes available to companies to promote growth, innovation and the sustainability of the business fabric.

Subsequently, Francesc Roche, sales representative for financing in the area, has moderated a round table with David Samper, of Canals Ventilación Air Industrial, SL and with Toni Oriol, of Solana del Ter, SL. During the debate, topics such as innovation and sustainability projects and collaboration and the role of the ICF were discussed in times of growth and also of companies' difficulties.