ICT as an Opportunity for Regional Development: the Extremadura Case

Abstract

The present paper describes the case of Extremadura Region as well as the lessons that can be learned from the processes of re-focussing its regional growth strategy. A brief introduction will show the way many regions or even economic districts have to follow in order to adapt their growth strategies to this changing economic environment. The Information and Communications Technologies have proven to be of enormous importance in the case of Extremadura.It will continuous with regional restructuring processes and which sectors or areas have been identified as the main focal points for cross-regional learning. Best Practises in some of the regions under study will be also showed. To finish, pillars and success factors that have managed Extremadura´s regional development strategy converting it into an Information Society strategy will be enumerated; as well as the impact of these in the regional policies carried out by the Regional Goberment.