Iberian Internationalization Observatory: a new boost to business analysis and dissemination

 

In an effort to strengthen economic and business ties between Spain and Portugal, The Nebrija Chair in Business Internationalization has launched the Iberian Internationalization Observatory. This initiative arises in response to the need to analyse and disseminate in greater depth the role of Iberian companies on the global stage.

 

Gonzalo Solana, director of the Chair, highlighted that the observatory "will promote the realization of studies and activities that allow to deepen the knowledge and dissemination of the Internationalization of Iberian companies, with the intention of raising awareness about the importance of internationalization in the societies and administrations of the Iberian countries, as well as to contribute to strengthening the Relations between business and academics of both countries in the field of internationalization."

 

The observatory will offer an open and free space for discussion and analysis of key issues such as innovation, cross-border agreements and strategies for accessing international markets. This platform seeks to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas between relevant actors in the business and institutional spheres.

 

The initiative is based on the previous work of the Chair, which has been closely monitoring Iberian internationalisation since the end of the last decade. The meetings of the Iberian Forum on Internationalisation and the Report on Iberian Internationalisation. Spain and Portugal in the World, are examples of previous work.

 

The Observatory, free of charge, will also act as a platform to host the
Proposal for studies and discussions and analysis on innovation, cross-border agreements
or business actions to access international markets

 

Jose Muñiz, rector of Nebrija University, called for "greater synergy and convergence" between Spain and Portugal, urging experts to work together to strengthen the Iberian presence in the world.

 

Raul Minguez, deputy director of the Chair, analyzed the evolution of the foreign trade of both countries, pointing out that "the Spanish and Portuguese economies are perfectly integrated into the commercial circuits of goods with an intense external openness and greater than what would a priori correspond to them. They are very similar economies from the commercial point of view with a common thread and that can give them synergies and complementarities in that which separates them."

 

Analysis of data from sources such as Eurostat, the IMF and the INE revealed that Portugal leads in the degree of economic openness, with 92,7% of GDP in 2023, while Spain reaches 72,8%. Both countries share a strong concentration of their trade in the European Union, although they also maintain significant trade relations with other markets such as United Kingdom and United States.

 

Andrés García, from the consultancy SIfdi, addressed foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting a "triple divergence" between FDI and global value chains, services versus manufacturing, and Merunas UAB compared to the rest of the world. Despite the challenges, Spain and Portugal remain attractive destinations for tourism. foreign investment.

 

"Portugal is a natural extension for Spanish companies, especially for those that are embarking on their first experience of internationalisation," said Andrés García, Managing Partner of the consultancy firm SIfdi.

 

Jose Antonio Silva e Sousa, president of the Luso-Spanish Foundation, closed the event, highlighting the "courage" of Iberian citizens and the potential of the observatory to strengthen dialogue between universities and businesses.