Under the title “Geopolitics and Internationalization”The meeting underscored the need review that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adapt their capabilities to navigate an increasingly complex environment full of unexpected risks.
The Impact of a Multipolar World on Foreign Trade
The day began with remarks from Jerónimo Parra, president of the Chamber, and María Dolores Garcés Muro, director general, who provided context for the global landscape: “A shifting power structure, a world that is already becoming multipolar, in which Europe, our benchmark, must reposition itself to achieve what is essential. As the Draghi and Letta reports point out, the single market must adapt to the new times.” This framework served as the starting point for the technical presentations and the business debate.
The colonel Pedro BanosA specialist in geostrategy and international relations offered insights into the growing risks facing the productive sector. One of his key recommendations was... immediate strengthening of corporate cybersecurityBaños was emphatic in stating: “Failing to adopt adequate cybersecurity measures can mean the end of a company's survival. An attack by ransomware It can destroy reputations, compromise data, and even lead to closure due to sanctions from the Data Protection Agency.”
The expert also emphasized that companies must be flexible structures with contingency plans and a remarkable capacity for recovery. Regarding the province of Almería, Colonel Baños pointed out the need to go further: “Almería must diversify: it cannot depend solely on the primary sector since, with the exception of the marble sector, there is a large industrial deficitIt is necessary to develop advanced technological capabilities in order not to fall behind.”
From Almería to the World: Risk Management and Diversification
Roundtable “From Almería to the world. Businesses facing the new world order” It brought together successful executives to analyze specific challenges such as tariffs, exchange rate volatility, logistical risks and operations in complex markets (such as Iran, Russia, China or India).
The Economist David Uclés AguileraAn expert in markets and business competitiveness introduced a crucial new concept: “We live in a more expensive world, with more barriers to foreign trade, where companies must closely monitor their supply systems, their IT systems, and manage uncertainty as just another factor. In this context, R&D—uncertainty and geopolitics— is as important as R&D.”
The business leaders provided practical solutions:
Diego Martínez Cano (Cuéllar Marble Architecture) highlighted the diversification as the only answer Faced with global instability, “the answer to global uncertainty is greater international diversification. We have offset the decline in the Russian market with growth in the Emirates and Southeast Asia. And in terms of competitiveness, the key lies in…” to be closer to the customeradding more value. Artificial intelligence is now a great ally.”
Adelina Salinas Clemente (ZOI Architecture and Engineering / ZOI Agriculture) focused on the need to evolve towards flexible models with a global vision. “Stability no longer depends on avoiding movement, but on knowing how to absorb it. We have strengthened technical trust and permeability between departments, anticipating the global impact by reading weak signals. Today, understanding how the world works is as important for exporting as it is for exporting.” how the world thinks in order to design".
Sergio Viñolo Vargas (Luxeapers), representing the agri-food sector, highlighted the multiregional presence as an essential buffer. “Being in so many markets gives us a very valuable margin. When one gets complicated, others react and compensate. In currencies, netting purchases and sales It helps us to buffer fluctuations, and maintain a stock "Higher than usual has become a key factor in the face of increasingly frequent supply disruptions."
Tools and Strategic Support
The event, held under the umbrella of the GLOBAL SME program (co-financed by the ERDF), provided companies with strategic tools such as global market dashboards, country risk analysis and sector fact sheets adapted to their profiles.
The Almería Chamber of Commerce reaffirmed its commitment to the business community. In the words of Jerónimo Parra, the organization “will continue to promote tools, training, and support for businesses in the province.” strengthen their internationalization and expand their opportunities abroad.”
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