The Mexico-Spain Binational Boards expose the areas of bilateral trade opportunity

Keys to development: social dialogue and bilateral collaboration

The general director of CEOE International quoted the president of CEOE in his speech, referring to the relevance of these Meetings that: “they constitute a historic opportunity to send a message of unity and collaboration, and of the commitment that unites businessmen on both sides of the Atlantic in all areas, but above all economically and businesswise.”

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The CEO of CEOE International and permanent secretary of CEIB, Married Narcissus, participated in the closing of the Mexico-Spain Binational Meetings, under the motto “Rule of Law and Economic Development. The Spanish experience”, together with the president of the Employers' Confederation of the Mexican Republic-COPARMEX, José Medina Mora. During these days, the areas have been announced trade opportunity with Spain, as well as the trends that this country offers, the programs and projects that are being implemented, and opportunities in sectors of common interest, such as education, entrepreneurship, health or gender equality, among others.

Businessmen from all sectors, political actors, diplomatic representatives, presidents of business organizations, CEOE and its Commissions have participated in the Mexico-Spain Binational Meetings, which began last July 4.

 

Keys to development: social dialogue and bilateral collaboration

 

In his speech, Narciso Casado cited the president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi in the opening session when referring to the relevance of these Boards: “they constitute a historic opportunity to send a message of unity and collaboration, and the commitment that unites businessmen on both sides of the Ocean in all areas, but above all economically and businesswise.” During this week we have brought together, he continued, more than two thousand attendees in an intense program that has included 24 guided sessions, a dialogue on the Inclusive Development Model and three keynote conferences. Around 40 speakers have discussed topics such as the ecological transition, digital education and the importance of Spanish, among many topics.

 

Organizations like COPARMEX and CEOE share DNA very similar, he assured, through permanent negotiation with their respective governments, unions, and with companies. “A dialogue that is not always easy, but on which the prosperity of our countries largely depends,” she pointed out. Casado stressed that the

business organizations play a fundamental role in developing and constituting a common space from which to act. On the one hand, through the collaboration between business organizations, which allows the exchange of experiences, knowledge, ideas and good practices; and, on the other hand, developing strategic synergies between companies to address issues of collective interest, promoting productivity and complementarity, and promoting commercial and investment activity in our respective countries and in third parties.

 

Throughout these four days, the speakers analyzed, among many other issues, the energy transition and its impact on climate change; learnings from digital tourism in Spain; advances and challenges of teleworking in both countries; challenges and opportunities of companies in Latin America among other topics

 

This collaboration has undoubtedly been reinforced, Casado highlighted, thanks to the work carried out from the Council of Ibero-American Entrepreneurs (CEIB), – an institution that brings together the 25 most important business organizations in the region, under the umbrella of the International Organization of Employers (IOE) -, of which CEOE and COPARMEX are very active members. In this sense, he stressed that CEIB has a roadmap that focuses on analyze the priorities of Ibero-America, how to attack low productivity and labor informality; promote innovation and digitalization; promote infrastructure and the insertion of companies in regional value chains; promote training and talent retention plans; and support the liquidity of SMEs by facilitating access to financing.

 

In turn, the president of COPARMEX, José Medina Mora, highlighted that we must accelerate relations between Mexico and Spain. Three years ago the idea arose in the Mexican employers' association to make the meetings not only national, but also binational. “Throughout these days we have been able to observe the existing synergies between the commissions, and we have witnessed the strength and good image that Mexico has not only in Spain, but also in Europe,” he stressed.

 

Medina Mora called for the signing of the Mexico-European Union Global Agreement, which will undoubtedly benefit the relationship between both countries. The president of COPARMEX hopes that the Presidency of Spain in the Council of Europe and the upcoming ratification by the Mexican Senate of the appointment of Alicia Bárcena as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, promote this task. Medina Mora also highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Inclusive Development Model, so that economic and social development go hand in hand.

 

We must remember, he mentioned, that our cultural, historical and linguistic similarities are the basis on which we can build a common, prosperous and supportive future. In this sense, Medina Mora recalled a quote from Gabriel García Márquez that he considers fundamental: “My language is my country”; and he added that we must continue tearing down walls and building bridges, to reinforce business opportunities not only in Mexico and Spain, but also in third markets.

 

The president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce also participated in the closing session (CAMESCOM), Antonio Basagoiti; the president of the Mexico Spain Business Association (AEMEES), Miguel's Angels; the Economic Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Mexico; Alvaro Pastor; the vice president of CAMESCOM, José García; the CEO of the Binational Boards of COPARMEX, José Alberto Castro; and the advisor of CAMESCOM, Salomé Fernández.

 

Theme

Throughout these four days, the speakers analyzed, among many other issues, the energy transition and its impact on climate change; learnings from digital tourism in Spain; advances and challenges of teleworking in both countries; challenges and opportunities for companies in Ibero-America; digitization of education; Angel investors and bilateral business opportunities; good health regulation practices and the panorama of entrepreneurship in Spain and the implications of its national regulation; the role of social dialogue in the two countries; nearshoring as a tool to attract investments; housing panorama in Spain after the pandemic; development and promotion of social economy companies; or the articulation of the world of Spanish and Portuguese languages ​​500 years after the first globalization.

 

In this sense, it is worth highlighting the participation yesterday, July 6, of the general director of CEOE International, Narciso Casado, and the general director of COPARMEX Nacional, Francisco López, in the session “Dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of business organizations in changing environments”, before all the directors of the Business Centers of the Mexican employers' association.

 

During the panel, Casado explained the structure, objectives and work carried out by CEOE and its business organizations, and particularly by CEOE International, and highlighted the importance of internationalization for companies. In his opinion, he stated, “more dialogue and cooperation are needed to create jobs, open new markets, think of new ideas and invest in our people.” For this reason, we must strive to make more of the region, claiming the strategic role of the private sector in a determined commitment to continue creating a more prosperous, integrated, innovative and, above all, sustainable space.”