During her participation in the Caja Rural de Aragón Forum, Elisa Carbonell carried out an in-depth analysis of the current challenges facing foreign tradeThe CEO focused on the potential impact of the tariffs announced by the United States, although she emphasized that the Aragonese economy, with only 1,4% of its exports going to the US, is not the most exposed. However, she warned that key sectors such as agri-food and automotive yes they could suffer significant effects if no agreements are reached before next July.
«The effects could be significant if no agreements are reached before next July."," Carbonell declared, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The head of ICEX insisted that the diversification is an essential strategy In a global context marked by geopolitical instability and constant shifts in trade flows, "not a month goes by without an event affecting global trade," he stated, citing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its repercussions on logistics and freight costs as an example.
Carbonell identified several priority markets for Aragonese companies, including:
- Japan: Notable for the "international prestige" it can give to Aragonese products and companies.
- to CanadaA country with significant room for improvement in the region's foreign trade.
- Australia: Especially relevant for sectors such as engineering and architecture.
- AfricaA continent that, according to Carbonell, "has not been exploited as it should be" and that presents numerous opportunities unused.
In this regard, the CEO announced a change of focus in ICEX's strategy: «We're going to change our approach. If it's been somewhat reactive up until now, we're going to opt for a proactive, project-generating approach.He added that the plan is a "living element" due to the uncertainty with the United States, so it must be made "agile and flexible."
The meeting, which took place at the headquarters of Caja Rural de Aragón and was moderated by María Pérez, the bank's director of international business, brought together numerous professionals and companies interested in strengthening their presence abroad. During the day, crucial topics were addressed, such as: access to aid for internationalization, the international logistics and sustainability in the processes of global expansion.
Elisa Carbonell concluded by recalling that the Internationalization is now part of the "DNA of Spanish companies" and reaffirmed ICEX's commitment to supporting companies "whatever the context", with a particular focus on the resilience, competitiveness and access to public financing instruments.
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