The debate on the future of the European and Spanish economy was the focus of the minister's speech. Jordi Hereu At the CEDE Management Congress, under the theme "Europe: from diagnosis to action," the Minister of Industry and Tourism was emphatic in his message to business leaders: “If its productive base is not strengthened, the European model will be very difficult to defend.”and continued, “because it will be much more difficult to finance our Welfare State”.
Hereu has framed the necessary transformation of the European and Spanish industry under the guidance of continental principles and values, Ensuring that “Only with more industry will we have better social quality”.
In an assessment of his two years at the head of the ministry, the minister stressed that both the industry such as are "essential pillars for the country's competitiveness", highlighting his "capacity to drive economic growth, quality employment and strategic investment".
Industry, Engine of Sustained Growth
La Spanish industry It continues to consolidate, representing the 15% of GDP and overcoming the 3 million workers in 2025, with a remarkable annual growth of 5,4%. The Government's vision, according to Hereu, is not limited to short-term strength, but to "to lead the reindustrialization and modernization process of industry in Europe".
To this end, the Government is promoting policies aligned with the strategic autonomy, the decarbonization and digitalization. The LOSS have been a key tool, injecting more than 3.000 million euros in aid to crucial sectors such as automotive, agri-food and pharmaceutical, which has generated a "good track record and prospects" for the sector, attracting high-level projects. Additionally, it is considered essential the approval of the new Law on Industry and Strategic Autonomy, which will update the industrial regulatory framework (in force since 1992) to protect critical capabilities and strengthen public-private collaboration.
Spain, Global Leader in Value-Added Tourism
In the tourism sector, Spain reaffirms its leading position. In 2024, the country recorded 94 million arrivals of international tourists, generating more than 126.000 million euros in spending, a figure that is equivalent to 12,3% of GDPThese figures, which continue to rise in 2025, are, according to Hereu, the result of a deliberate strategy.
The minister attributed this success not to chance, but to “a strategy of diversification, quality and innovation”Currently, Spain is moving towards a model "increasingly sustainable", with significant progress in the deseasonalizationan increase in tourists from non-traditional markets, and a boom in rural and cultural tourism, allowing a "a more balanced and higher value-added tourist map".
To sustain this model, the Government has mobilized more than 3.000 millones de euros and has approved the Spain Tourism Strategy 2030, a plan of 50 measures and 148 actions focused on the triple sustainability (economic, social and environmental), competitiveness and diversification of the sector.
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