The Madrid City Council's Councillor for Economy and Citizen Participation, Pilar Martínez, presided over the opening of IMEX 04 before more than 500 business leaders, diplomatic representatives, and members of the media. Addressing a packed auditorium, the city representative began her speech by highlighting Madrid's qualities as a welcoming and inclusive city, which is working decisively to consolidate its position as an international benchmark for its tourism offerings, diversity, cultural potential, and development capacity.
Pilar Martínez also pointed out that the city's priority objectives fully coincide with those pursued by IMEX and are already reflected in its very name, "Impulso Exterior" (External Boost). "The word 'impulse,' like the concepts of promotion, launch, expansion, positioning, opening, exchange, and opportunity," she explained, "are notions inherent to international trade, and are also strategic lines for Madrid's economic development. These concepts, together with a culture of change, innovation, knowledge, and excellence, are the essence of Madrid's collective aspiration to become the capital of Southern Europe."
The councilwoman emphasized the climate of trust that has been generated among citizens, business owners, and investors, which, she explained, is the result of the positive evolution of key socioeconomic indicators. As an example, Pilar Martínez revealed that "in the last five years, Madrid has doubled the average economic growth of the European Union."
Taking advantage of the presence of prominent members of the Spanish business community, the councilwoman announced the creation of a Plan to internationalize Madrid's economy, which aims to "design initiatives to achieve a greater international presence for SMEs." Pilar Martínez asserted that they are currently finalizing "agreements with the main players in international promotion. Madrid can and will be a leading city in this borderless economic process." Along the same lines, she criticized the long-standing lack of "a policy to retain existing foreign investors, which, through specific initiatives, would convey to companies the willingness of their administration to work together for mutual development."
Furthermore, the city representative highlighted the city's strong economic situation: "Madrid is currently a great place to invest. It is also one of the best business showcases in Europe: six out of ten visitors to the capital come to hold a business meeting, attend a convention, launch a product, or close a deal."
Pilar Martínez also emphasized the city's opportunities as an investment destination. "We have a strategic geographical position," she continued, "a gateway from Latin America to Europe and a link between three continents. We are not afraid of change; we are the product of integration, and unlike other cities, we are also the most nonconformist and self-critical city in Europe."
The councilwoman concluded her opening speech by reminding the business owners that the Madrid City Council has a team "ready to support people like you, professionals and entities that, through your business endeavors, contribute to development and progress."
Any questions about this news?
Talk to Coexia, the AI of the foreign trade
International business service providers
Credit and caution
Leading operator of domestic and export credit insurance in Spain, with a market share of 46%.read more...
Cesce
Cesce, the Spanish Export Credit Insurance Company, is the head of a group.read more...
