Antonio Garamendi highlights the work of Spanish businesspeople as "the spearhead in defending the relationship between Spain and Latin America"

Within the framework of the VI CEAPI Congress

The president of the CEOE (Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations) has stated that the Spanish business world demands from Europe "a space of recognition for being part of the region's growth, as well as in the area of ​​globalization with other spaces different from the eurozone."

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The first morning of presentations of the sixth edition of the Congress of the Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI), entitled 'Spain, The Bridge of Ibero-America and Europe. The time is now: the great opportunity', and inaugurated by King Philip VI, has emphasized the relevance of the rbusiness relations between Spain, Latin America and the US and has also addressed the relevance of reducing inequality that, in addition to being ethically reprehensible, acts as an economic brake.

 

At the round table The Virtuous Triangle: Promoting Business Relations between Spain, the United States and Latin America, which has addressed the current situation of Spanish companies in Latin America and the links of renewed growth for Ibero-American and Spanish companies that having investments and alliances in the US entails. nelson mezerhane, president of Diario de las Américas; Alberto Espinosa Desiguad, CEO Global Assurance and Enrique Riquelme, president and CEO at COX Energy, have highlighted the 'virtuous' nature of this geographic business relationship.

 

Under the moderation of Marco Lowkoski, global director of marketing and communications at digital accelerator and digital transformation expert at NEORIS; Enrique Riquelme has highlighted that this virtuous triangle is summarized in that “the US has financial strength and creativity, Europe has technology and experience, and Latin America is a market that needs European experience and resources and American financing. It is time to continue investing in Latin America.” In the same way nelson mezerhane, has stressed that “this virtuous triangle is embodied by CEAPI with initiatives that bring together businessmen and leaders from the US, Spain and Latin America. The lack of freedom is key to prosperity because without freedom there is no possibility for entrepreneurship. The time is now, but Spain must look more towards Latin America. You have to work there and here.”

 

The president of the CEOE closed the first morning session of the Congress by highlighting that “Spain is fundamental in international relations, especially with Latin America, and there CEAPI has a lot to say”

 

Inequality is not profitable

 

Another of the presentations that marked the first morning of the Congress was Inequality is not profitable, the urgency of changes, which has had the moderation of Javier Ruiz, head of Economy at Cadena SER and the participation of Connie Beneitez de Paiz, CEO of Panifresh; Samuel Doria Medina, COMVERSA president and Jose Luis del Rio president and CEO of Inder and Dersa. The speakers have claimed the importance of combating inequality, a serious problem that threatens the region, and that is not only a painful social problem, but also a hindrance to development and economic growth and that entails the risk of increasing the emergence of populism and legal uncertainty.

 

In their speech, the panelists considered that social inequality is not profitable from either a macroeconomic or microeconomic point of view. The panelists agreed with Connie Beneitez that “although this problem is inevitable, the gap should not be that big. We must work to ensure well-being at all levels. There will be people with more and less, but everyone must be able to access the same opportunities: education, health, work and housing.”

 

Likewise, Jose Luis del Rio He took advantage of his intervention at the table to point out the situation in his country: “Unfortunately, it has been very difficult to end this scourge of inequality. In Chile we are an example, we managed to reduce Chile's poverty level from 35% to 40% in 8 years. However, the perception of equality did not end.” Finally, Samuel Doria Medina He added that “if one compares taxes in Europe and South America, in Europe they collect 4% of GDP in property taxes, while, in Latin America, governments only collect 0,5% in these same taxes. Something is wrong".

 

In a solo intervention behind the panels, Antonio Garamendi, president of the CEOE, has reflected on the work of Spanish businessmen as “the spearhead in defending the relationship between Spain and Latin America. We have changed the GDP growth forecasts from 1,3% to 1,9% in Spain, although that does not mean that we have to stop working and demand the necessary policies so that the business world can flow and put the company in the place it deserves.” For this reason, the leader has pointed out that the Spanish business world demands from Europe “a space of recognition for being part of the growth of the region, as well as in the field of globalization with other spaces different from the eurozone. Spain is fundamental, especially with Latin America, and CEAPI has a lot to say there.”