The V CEAPI Congress begins with a call to work so that the voice of Ibero-America is heard in the world

Celebrated in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The meeting focuses on detecting growth opportunities in an Ibero-America currently surrounded by uncertainty, emphasizing the role played by innovation, digitalization and technology.

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The fifth edition of the Congress of the Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI) has started in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) with Núria Vilanova -president of the business association- and Luis Abinader -president of the Dominican Republic. As the name of this one advances V Congress, 'Innovation and opportunities in times of uncertainty, The event, which will last over the next 48 hours, focuses on detecting growth opportunities in an Ibero-America surrounded by uncertainty, emphasizing the role played by innovation, digitalization and technology to position the region as a spearhead in the new international and geopolitical panorama. 

 

In his opening speech of this edition, Núria Vilanova has highlighted the importance of identifying and taking advantage of “the favorable circumstances that are making Ibero-America an area increasingly attractive, reliable and profitable in terms of investments despite the international scenario.” “Something is changing in the region,” she noted, “and, without a doubt, the Ibero-American businessmen who believe in Ibero-America, which support positive projects for the environment and that pave the way for the future of the region have a lot to do with it,” he added.

 

Has intervened Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (Spain), who has valued “the importance of a Congress that reinforces integration, recovery and that represents a commitment to social and environmental sustainability. Spain is committed to deepening economic and commercial ties by promoting the approval of the FTA with Mercosur and improving the current ones with Mexico and Chile. Our country represents an opportunity for Latin American investments. "The relations between Spain and Ibero-America have great potential in the immediate future."

 

The Dominican president, Luis Abinader, has thanked the business leaders, business families and institutional authorities present their attendance at the congress, which is hosting a Latin American country for the first time since its creation. Thus, Abinader has pointed out that “we are a community of the future that decides in the present. Innovation, digitalization and technology are the key to achieving sustained and sustainable economic development. The Ibero-American voice must be heard in the world that is emerging. The future is always written and must have an Ibero-American seal. These are times of pessimism but, despite everything, this is the best time to invest and the Dominican Republic pIt could be the door to investments towards Latin America. That is why public-private alliances are very important to achieve development.”

 

Along these same lines, figures such as Valentin Diez Morodo -international honorary president of CEAPI and president of COMCE andFelipe Vicini, executive president of INICIA, have warmly welcomed the attendees and urged them to pursue the primary objective of the Congress: 'making more Ibero-America'.

 

Núria Vilanova has highlighted the importance of identifying and taking advantage of “the favorable circumstances that are making Ibero-America an increasingly attractive, reliable and profitable area in terms of investments despite the international scenario.”

 

Díez Morodo has highlighted that “the economic uncertainty that we have been experiencing for two years will, however, enhance Ibero-America as a region of opportunities to achieve shared development supported by what unites us. And Congress is a good platform to continue promoting investments in the region.” 

 

By your side, Neighbors He welcomed the island (“paradise”) and wanted to highlight how important it is to have “the large Ibero-American, Spanish and Latin American companies gathered in a Congress, to strengthen business ties between both sides of the Atlantic. Innovation and opportunities are the weapons to recover from the crisis, commit to public-private alliances, invest again and protect our citizens. After what we have experienced since 2020, no businessman will be the same, especially because businessmen have had during this time not only the capacity for resilience but also a social vocation.”

 

Conversation: Ibero-America in the new world order

 

Under the moderation of Núria Vilanova, personalities of the level of Enrique V. Iglesias, honorary president of CEAPI; Andrew Allamand, Ibero-American Secretary General; Juan Bolívar Díaz, ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Spain and Juan Luis Cebrian, honorary president of El País, have analyzed in a first panel conversation the role of Ibero-America in the current world scenario, with geopolitical relations inevitably modulated by the consolidation of China as a great power; the consequences derived from the Covid-19 pandemic and - more recently - the immediate effects of the war of Ukraine.

 

Cebrián has stressed that "Spain has less political influence in Latin America and that Spanish influence in Latin America is maintained thanks to the business community." For his part, Vilanova highlighted that “values ​​and commitments are the pillars that companies must seek.” business investments that must seek impact on society. Spain cannot allow Latin America to not exist, especially in a world of blocs, which is where we are heading. We need Ibero-America to exist and drag our authorities to make it exist. And Europe also needs Latin America so as not to remain isolated.”

 

In this regard Enrique V. Iglesias has pointed out that “the 75 most brilliant years in the history of Humanity, an exceptional period of peace and progress, have ended. It is a change of era and we have to accept the moment and go through it together respecting Human Rights. The key is to give a collective response to a dangerous moment as every change of era implies. It is also necessary to define what the tone of the relationship between the two great powers will be, China and the USA. The change of era must also be faced by governments and the business sector, betting on dialogue and supporting world peace. Ibero-America has to have the capacity to be present and break the Ibero-American silence on world issues.”

 

Andrew Allamand has emphasized that “Iberoamericana's future opportunities involve innovating in a time of uncertainty. The region must prepare for what is coming: first it must re-create a pro-growth environment, build conditions to grow more rapidly in order to progress. Secondly, governance must be improved. And thirdly, guarantee social peace by reducing social unrest and disruptive phenomena. If this is achieved, the opportunities for the region will be very encouraging.”

 

Furthermore, Allamand stressed that the influence of Spain continues to be very important in commercial and business areas. and academics, although from a political point of view it depends on the moment of uncertainty we are experiencing: “Spain is going to have a lot to contribute to Latin America in areas such as digitalization, respect for the Environment, language... Spain has a lot to contribute in the immediate future for Ibero-America. The region, on the other hand, does not want to be pulled between the two great world powers. China is an incentive to reinforce convergence between Latin America and Europe".

 

Meanwhile Juan Bolívar Díaz He wanted to emphasize that “Spain must support the initiative that does not require a visa to enter the EU. “Europe must pay more attention to Latin America.”