Spain has become the latest European nation to create an industry association dedicated to data centres as the country seeks to attract €5 billion (US$5.8 billion) in direct investments over the next five years.

The Asociación Española de Data Centers – Spanish Data Center Association (Spain DC) – was launched in Madrid and counts as founding members DATA4, Equinix (NASDAQ: EQUIX), Global Switch, the Infrastructure Masons, Interxion (a Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR) company), Nabiax, Dcd, Quark and Sales4U.

The main objective of the association is to position the sector as an economic and social catalyst, the founders said.

This includes securing and protecting the industry, lay the foundations for the future of the sector, establish a recognisable point of contact with stakeholders, raise the profile of the industry, promote initiatives to improve environmental care from data centres, promote education programs for the development of qualified personnel, as well as to unite and promote the digital sector.

Spain DC has established three focal points for the association’s activities including energy and sustainability, education, and the digital economy.

According to Spain DC, for every Euro invested in data centres in the country, the nation’s GDP benefits 12 euros.

Ignacio Velilla, elected president of Spain DC and managing director for Equinix Spain, said: “with the right conditions, Spain has everything in its favor to become a global digital communications Hub.

“The sector not only has the capacity to attract investment, and to retain and capture talent, but we can make a decisive contribution to the growth and the energy and digital transformation of the Spanish economy.”

Also selected for the association’s board was Emilio Díaz, CEO of NabiaX who now serves as vice president of Spain DC.