Main channels
Convinced that the economic development of the region depends on maximising the potential of its distinctiveness, the Community of Communes of the Southern Basque Country relies on a structured “strands” approach.
Water sports
Centre of the snow-boarding & surf-boarding industry in Europe with the establishment of Quiksilver Napali in the 80’s, the Southern Basque Country has witnessed the growth of a whole network of players around this market-leader: Tribord, Gotcha, 2nd Sky, etc. Groundbreaking in their concepts, design, research and development, their use of ICT, as well as marketing techniques, these companies are a real driving-force for the local economy.
The first starter-centre dedicated to marine and aquatic sports to be established by Estia (School of Advanced Industrial Technology Engineering) was installed in Hendaye and houses about ten companies (Aerodrones, Artea, Artform, Hearth Distribution, Hack, Natural sex wax, Teleski nautique etc.. .)
Ressources et biotechnologies marines
La CCSPB souhaite soutenir la filière en développant une stratégie de valorisation des produits issus de la pêche locale ainsi que des ressources non alimentaires issues de la mer. Pour ce faire, un AUDIT et une étude de faisabilité ont d'ores et déjà été engagés par l'intercommunalité. Résultats attendus en 2012.
Food sector
The food sector is also fully operative, drawing on traditional methods of processing sea produce (Socomer fish soup, baby squid in ink from the Pêcheries Basque, etc) and on the skills of the great choAgroculinary Sectorcolatiers and confectioners: Chez Pariès chocolates and the macaroons of Chez Adam.
Tourism
Having preserved its architectural heritage and its countryside, the Southern Basque Country is a prime tourist destination. A land of contrasts, the coast offers a range of seaside activities while the inland villages offer their visitors many famous historical and natural sites.
Apart from the hotel and restaurant sector, which generates more than 1,500 jobs in the region, tourism stimulates commerce and the skilled trades of the Southern Basque Country. The Tourist Offices and the various professionals sectors are now federated within the "terres et Côte Basques” Association.
Health and Fitness Sector
Activities linked to health are now well established in the region. They represent more than 11% of the region’s paid employment.
Beacon players offer innovative and effective solutions: Technoflex-Bioluz pharmaceutical products: B.Braun Médical surgical and medical equipment, the Southern Basque Coast Polyclinic.
The seawater therapy treatment sector is also particularly well developed at the Serge Blanco and Hélianthal Centres.
BTP
Stimulated by the property market, the BTP is a mainstream economic sector (10% of the companies in the region). The main companies are LAPIX and MOUHICA.