Puerto Rico positions itself as a springboard for Spanish investment into the US market

The Secretary of State for Commerce, Amparo López Senovilla, and the governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González, have co-chaired the business meeting Organized by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, ICEX Spain Export and Investment and CEOE, focusing on business opportunities for Spanish companies on the Caribbean island.

Governor González was emphatic in describing Puerto Rico as the "logical point" of investment for the Spanish business sector. He emphasized that, in the current context of uncertainty and tariff policies on exports in the United States, the island presents itself as the ideal "gateway" to the North American market. This position is reinforced by a "ambitious business relocation program" which, according to the president, has managed to attract over $2.000 billion in committed investment and more than 4.000 jobs created in just ten months.

The main competitive advantages from Puerto Rico reside in their US jurisdiction, the protection of the intellectual property, its large logistical capacity and air connections with other countries in the Americas. Furthermore, the governor noted that the 43% of Puerto Rico's GDP concentrates on the Manufacturing sector, covering key areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics and textiles.

The Business Meeting brought together more than 130 companies and high-level institutional representatives from Spain and Puerto Rico, with the aim of strengthening an economic relationship that is considered to have "great potential for growth".

For her part, the Secretary of State for Trade, Amparo López Senovilla, expressed the commitment of the Spanish Government: "We want to continue building a solid, modern, and mutually beneficial economic relationship between Spain and Puerto Rico."

López Senovilla emphasized the need to institutional and business cooperationhighlighting that joint work for "eliminate barriers such as double taxation" It will be crucial to consolidate a framework favorable to trade and investment.

Along the same lines, the president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Joseph Louis BonetHe emphasized that Spanish companies are in the best position to "to take advantage of the formidable commercial access that the island offers to the US market"with which it is fully integrated at a regulatory level and at competitive costs. Bonet pointed out that Puerto Rico offers a "favorable business environment, legal certainty and tax incentives"making the island an attractive destination for investment in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, construction, or tourism.

The vice president of CEOE and president of CEPYME, Angela de MiguelHe agreed to highlight Puerto Rico's role as strategic enclave for the Spanish company thanks to its geographic location and close ties with the United StatesFor De Miguel, the potential of bilateral relations "It goes beyond the work already done and trade data".

The meeting also included the participation of the Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico, Sebastián Negrón, which detailed the business opportunities. The day was completed with two panel discussions. The first addressed the island as a center of restoring or relocation of companies, with interventions from key figures such as Francisco Millán (Spanish trade advisor in Puerto Rico) and Ella Woger (General Director of Invest Puerto Rico), among others. The second panel focused on the public-private partnerships, drawing on the experience of executives such as Julian Fernandez (Metro) and José Antonio Trujillo (SAMU Corporation).