FEDECOM AND FECECA 2024 GENERAL MEETING

CHAMBER OF SPAIN PROMOTES COOPERATION BETWEEN OFFICIAL CHAMBERS ABROAD AND TERRITORIAL CHAMBERS FOR THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMES.

At the Assembly held in Madrid, the Secretary of State for Trade, Amparo López Senovilla, highlighted the importance of the Official Spanish Chambers of Commerce Abroad (CAMACOES) as a fundamental support network for the internationalization of companies. He underlined their role as an essential instrument for business growth and highlighted the public-private collaboration exemplified by CAMACOES.

José Luis Bonet, president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of CAMACOES and the territorial Chambers as engines of the economy, stressing that “unity is strength” and that these meetings foster cohesion for the benefit of companies and society. Bonet also urged to deepen the internationalization of SMEs, stressing that staying in the local market represents a great opportunity cost.

The general director of the Spanish Chamber, Inmaculada Riera, pointed out the complexity of the current context and the need for the support of the chambers, especially for SMEs. She reaffirmed the crucial role of CAMACOES in the network of Chambers and the importance of the coordination and unconditional support of the Spanish Chamber.

Adolfo Díaz-Ambrona, Secretary General of the Spanish Chamber and of the Spanish Court of Arbitration (CEA), underlined the relevance of arbitration as an alternative mechanism for resolving commercial disputes, promoting the inclusion of CIAM-CIAR as an essential service for companies. He expressed the aspiration that by 2030 CIAM-CIAR will be a court of international reference.

Antonio Basagoiti, president of the Federation of Official Chambers of Commerce in America (FECECA) and of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, highlighted the mission of the chambers in the internationalization of SMEs, pointing out that only 9% of Spanish SMEs export, but those that do obtain 65% of their turnover from abroad. He called for leading this internationalization to create jobs, improve the trade balance and strengthen the economy.

Guillermo Cobelo, vice-president of the Federation of Official Spanish Chambers of Commerce in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania (FEDECOM) and president of the Spanish Chamber in the United Arab Emirates, highlighted Spain’s robust international architecture and the value of CAMACOES as an effective tool for economic diplomacy, reiterating his institutional loyalty to the government and to Spain.

During the Assembly, roundtable discussions were held to share best practices and explore new collaborations and projects. The conference included presentations by experts such as Judith Arnal from the Elcano Royal Institute, Ignacio Torreblanca from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and Elena Gil from Telefónica TECH, on issues of European competitiveness, the future of the EU and the evolution of artificial intelligence.