The Cadiz Free Trade Zone and the Cartagena de Indias Chamber of Commerce form a strategic alliance.

 

The trade mission of the Cadiz Free Trade Zone in Colombiamar, the leading trade fair in the sector held in Cartagena de Indias, reached a significant milestone with the visit to Econova, the innovation and entrepreneurship center of the Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena de IndiasThis space, focused on sustainability and new fuels, offers advice and mentoring to local businesses with green projects.

 

Fran González, delegate of the Free Trade Zone Consortium, together with his team and representatives of the Cádiz Naval Maritime Cluster, including its president, José Luis García Zaragoza, and his vice president, Jesus Rodriguez, witnessed the work carried out at Econova. The similarities with Incubazul, the Cadiz-based initiative, were evident, marking the beginning of a dialogue about possible collaborations.

 

Andrea Piña, executive president of the Chamber of Commerce, along with Carlos Payares, Director of Strategic Business Development, and other key members of the organization, guided the visit, highlighting Econova's importance in the local business ecosystem.

 

“Econova is a fundamental pillar for the development of sustainable projects in our region. We are committed to creating an innovative ecosystem that drives the blue economy and sustainability,” said Andrea Piña during the visit.

 

The Chamber of Commerce also houses the Cartagena de Indias Maritime Cluster, which maintains a collaboration agreement with the Cadiz Cluster. Anna Velasco, the Cluster's manager, shared the progress made since its founding in 2018.

 

Econova, backed by Ecopetrol, the state-owned oil company, focuses on developing sustainable solutions, such as biofuels and green hydrogen. Projects include household appliances powered by green hydrogen, an alternative to polluting resources.

 

The visit allowed us to identify numerous points in common with Incubazul and Blue Core, the initiatives of the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, represented by Jose Manuel FedrianiFran González presented the Free Trade Zone's innovation strategy, reinforcing the shared vision and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

 

“This meeting has been very fruitful. We have found numerous synergies with Econova and identified many areas of potential future collaboration. It is of utmost importance for us to continue building strong ties with Latin America,” stated Fran González.

 

The trade mission concluded with a visit to COTECMAR, the naval shipyards of Cartagena de Indias, and a meeting with Juan Manuel Lesme, representative of the naval sector of ANDI, to strengthen the internationalization of Cadiz companies.

 

Fran González gave a positive assessment of the mission, highlighting the strengthening of ties with Latin American free trade zones and the progress made in the internationalization of Cádiz's productive sector. He emphasized the importance of these meetings in positioning Cádiz as a benchmark in the blue economy.