Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu, together with ministers Arantxa Tapia and Jokin Bildarratz, distributed 125 certificates of BEINT Internationalization grants on 1 December. These grants are awarded by the Basque Trade & Investment Group of the SPRI Group.

45 of these young people will start their internships with foreign companies, preferably with Basque companies located abroad, and the remaining 80 will go to the offices of the Foreign Network or to the offices of the European Association of International Trade Promoters in 42 African, American, Asian and European countries.

In his speech, the Lehendakari encouraged young people to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this internationalization grant, and asked them to help them in the development of the Basque Country. “I hope this experience will be a stimulus in his professional career and also an incentive to help transform the world and build a better future,” he said. Iñigo Urkullu also called on the companies involved in this project to take advantage of the experience, talent and work of the fellows, now and in the future.

Lehendakari Urkullu emphasized that the aim of the Basque Government and the Basque economy as a whole is to promote internationalization, which is why they are helping to open up markets abroad and form alliances with international companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. He also emphasized his efforts in training to promote links with the business world, both through Dual Training and through the University + Business program.

On the 35th anniversary of the launch of these internationalization grants, the Lehendakari acknowledged the investment that Basque society has made in this project, stating that "we owe the knowledge and experience you receive to Basque society".

The event was held at the BEC in Barakaldo, and was attended by 125 young fellows and their families, respecting all the current health measures. The event was attended by Arantxa Tapia, Minister of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment, Jokin Bildarratz, Minister of Education, Junkal Gutierrez, Vice-Rector for Euskera, Culture and Internationalization of the UPV / EHU, Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship and Business Relations at the University of Deusto; Vicente Atxa, Rector of Mondragon University, Aitor Urzelai, General Manager of the SPRI Group and Ainhoa ​​Ondarzabal, Director of the Basque Trade & Investment Agency.

Agreement with three Basque universities

The agreement signed with the three Basque universities was presented at the same event, which will include in the BEINT scholarship program the best knowledge and training methodologies offered by each of these universities in the field of internationalization. The President thanked the universities involved in the BEINT scholarship training phase. "By combining our strengths and skills, we will have a more complete training," he said.

Beint scholarships

One hundred young people under the age of 30 (with an exception this year will be 125, to compensate for the call that was left out in 2020) have the opportunity to receive a BEINT scholarship each year. The aim of the BEINT grants is to train new talents in the field of internationalization so that they can meet the needs of Basque companies and institutions. BEINT Scholarships are a unique opportunity to provide internationalization and foreign trade training to young university graduates. Participants in this program will receive a reference degree, receive practical training and an 8-month stay in Basque companies around the world.