The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, highlighted at the 7th Ibero-American Forum for SMEs in Tenerife the strategic importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the driving force of Spain's economy, representing 99,8% of the country's business fabric. Hereu emphasized the need for transatlantic collaboration, noting that Spain is consolidating its position as the second-largest recipient of Latin American investment from outside the region, second only to the United States.
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The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, has called on multilateralism and the international development as essential tools for Spanish and Latin American SMEs to face global challenges. This vision was shared during her speech at the VII Ibero-American Forum of SMEs, held on November 27, 2025 in Tenerife.
Ibero-American Trade Relations and Investment
Hereu highlighted the excellent economic relations between Spain and the American continent, highlighting Spain as a priority destination for the region's capital. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Latin America reached 2.178 million euros in 2024, a figure that places Spain as the second most popular non-regional destination, with Mexico as the main issuer, monopolizing the 50,2% of that investment.
In the field of foreign tradeThe figures for 2023 confirm the intensity of the activity:
The Spanish exports Latin America approached the 20.400 millones de euros.
The imports From the region they were located around the 21.400 millones de euros.
The main trading partners are Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina.
Spain is the second largest non-regional destination for Latin American investment, second only to the US.
The Government's support for SMEs
The minister recalled that the SMEs not only do they constitute the 99,8% of the productive fabric national, but are responsible for generating the 66% of total business employment in Spain. In this context, he emphasized the Executive's commitment to supporting these companies.
"The Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan "This is a clear example of this support," Hereu stated. He explained that a third of the Plan's total budget is earmarked directly for SMEs. Since 2021, the 41% of the funds already allocated have benefited more than 500.000 Spanish SMEsfacilitating its modernization and growth.
Furthermore, he emphasized the fundamental role of entities such as ENISA, CERSA, EOI and the Fund for Support of Productive Industrial Investment (FAIIP), for its contribution to the "growth, modernization and digitalization" of small and medium-sized enterprises.
SMEs as the driving force behind tourism transformation
Regarding the tourism sector, the minister emphasized the essential role of SMEs. According to Hereu, the Spain Tourism Strategy 2030 It is the ultimate expression of a "transformative vision" for the sector. This model seeks to support companies in becoming "more resilientPlus connected and fairer competitive in a global environment of constant change."
Finally, he highlighted the work of SEGITTUR in the digitization of micro and small tourism businesses, an advance that he considers key to a tourism model "centered on people, which guarantees the development of the sector through the well-being of citizens."
