The president of the Asturian employers association FADE, Maria Bald, has expressed its support for the Principality’s initiative to create the Asturian Science, Business Competitiveness and Innovation Agency, which will deal with R&D&i policies and which will absorb the current Economic Development Institute (IDEPA). “Innovation is essential for the development of the region and for the competitiveness of its companies. We believe that a decisive boost to innovation policies is essential, and the creation of the agency can be a useful instrument for this, as FADE has proposed, as long as it is properly focused”, said María Calvo.