The government of the Spanish province of Catalonia revealed on Tuesday its intention to implement blockchain technology in public administration in an attempt to enhance digital services.
The Department of Digital Policies, part of the local government, will develop a strategic plan for blockchain integration, due for release by December 31. The plan will identify which areas can benefit most from the technology and will also assess the economic aspects of blockchain adoption.
Within the new strategy, Catalonia will seek to promote knowledge of the technology, train field experts and encourage research in the sphere.
According to the autonomous Spanish region’s government, blockchain has a true potential to impact all industry sectors. In support of this notion, Jordi Puignero, counselor at the Department of Digital Policies, claimed in a Twitter post blockchain will become a revolution of the size of the Internet in the 1990s.
The latest announcement fits well into the existing SmartCatalonia initiative of the local government, which looks to extend the smart city concept so that it “integrates and coordinates local and multi-region initiatives in support of businesses and ongoing [s]mart initiatives throughout the territory”.
It seems Catalonia is no stranger to technology and innovations and as far as blockchain is concerned, it has already taken steps to implement it in the region. Local media outlet La Vanguardia reported in May that Barcelona Tech City has decided to create a space specially dedicated to blockchain development in its campus.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have also emerged as a possible means for Catalan people to be independent from Spain. As per reports by Spanish media in October 2017, the Catalonian government is considering the introduction of its own cryptocurrency, as well as the adoption of an e-residency system, thus making its economy less dependent on the Spanish one.
This article appeared first on Cryptovest
