The 2nd Report on Iberian Internationalization is presented in Lisbon. Spain and Portugal in the world

The Secretary of State for Commerce, Xiana Mendez, presented the 2nd Report on Iberian Internationalization at the Autonomous University of Lisbon. Spain and Portugal in the world, edited by the Nebrija Santander Chair in business internationalization.

 

Méndez highlighted the high degree of integration of the Iberian economies and the importance of the internationalization of both countries. He revealed how Spain and Portugal have very competitive internationalized companies as confirmed by the good performance of Iberian exports and their recovery after the impact of the COVID-19. He indicated that it is necessary to continue strengthening the ties between both countries in the field of internationalization to face the changes that are taking place in the international economy. In this sense, he pointed out that it is necessary to continue working together to promote at the European level the signing of new trade and investment agreements with third countries, which will contribute to facilitating the internationalization of companies. Lastly, he highlighted how The Iberian Peninsula offers a safe and attractive environment for foreign investment both to establish themselves in local markets and to access others.

 

Xiana Méndez indicated that it is necessary to continue strengthening the ties between Spain and Portugal in the field of internationalization to face the changes that are taking place in the international economy.

 

The report, directed by Rafael Myro, professor at the Complutense University, and Gonzalo Solana, director of the Nebrija-Santander Global Chair in Business Internationalization (Nebrija University), reflects, by different experts, a detailed analysis of the recent evolution of the trade and direct investments abroad in Spain and Portugal and the impact of the pandemic on internationalization. It also analyzes the development and changes that are taking place in the configuration of Iberian global value chains, the need to promote joint cross-border cooperation actions, as well as the opportunities there are to strengthen relationships and undertake joint initiatives in the business field.

 

The presentation highlighted, among other issues, how a growing integration between France, Spain, Portugal and North Africa through global value chains in the automobile sector, the opportunities that arise from developing joint actions with EU Next Generation Funds that favor internationalization or how in recent times most of the investment operations abroad from Spain in Portugal and from Portugal in Spain are carried out by smaller companies than at the beginning of the current century.

 

Furthermore, the Report demonstrates how the markets of both countries are the beginning of the internationalization of many SMEs.