Among the strengths of Spain, the acting Minister of Commerce and Tourism Industry, Reyes Maroto, highlighted the favorable climate of confidence, the solid and sustained growth of the economy, the limitation of regulatory restrictions and the strategic geographic location.
The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism in office, Reyes Maroto, defended in Shanghai the competitive advantages of Spain in industrial, commercial and tourism, and the possibilities offered to Chinese companies and investors.
On the day "Spain, your partner in Europe", organized by ICEX, Banco de Santander and Bank of Shanghai, Maroto pointed out the reasons why Spain is constituted as an ideal platform for Chinese investments in Europe. Among the strengths of Spain stood out the favorable climate of confidence -which meant record levels of direct foreign investment in 2018-, sustained economic growth over time, strategic geographic location, infrastructures, human capital and competitive advantages in terms of regulation and fiscal pressure with respect to other countries of the European Union. Maroto pointed out the opportunities offered by our country in the energy, manufacturing and retail sectors, infrastructure, construction, financial services, agri-food and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), among others.
He also drew the main guidelines of the Government's Agenda for Change, aimed at modernizing the economic model to make it more sustainable and inclusive. Within the framework of the ecological transition and the fight against climate change, he pointed out opportunities in the renewable energy sectors, and mentioned the plan for the development of digital infrastructures and the Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
The business meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Spain in China, Rafael Dezcallar, the General Director of International Trade and Investment of the Secretary of State for Trade, Paz Ramos, the CEO of ICEX, María Peña, the executive director of Invest in Spain, María Jesús Fernández, and the teams of the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Shanghai and the Cabinet of the Minister. Representatives of the Chinese companies were Fosun Group, Bright Food, Shanghai Electric Investment, Sinochem International, Linyang Energy, Jin Jiang Group, Lianhe Investment, CRRC Urban Traffic and Fine Chemistry.
Before participating in the session, Maroto held a private meeting with Bank of Shanghai President Yu Jin.
Meeting with the Chinese tourism sector
Ministry of Industry, Commerce and TourismMaroto presented Spain as an attractive destination for China in the session "Spain-China: Tourism and Investment", organized by ICEX, Chamber of Commerce and CEOE, which was attended by representatives of companies from the Chinese tourism sector.
The minister highlighted the position of world leadership of Spain in tourism, and marked five priority lines of action for Turespaña: support for the development of air connectivity, enhancement of the digital strategy and shopping tourism, and acquisition of both the tourist segment of medium-high purchasing power and tourism MICE, linked to the celebration of Fairs and Congresses. He also noted that Spain presents a diverse offer (cultural, gastronomic, shopping, sports, nature) and adapted to the tastes of Chinese tourists.
The session was also attended by the general director of the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, Inmaculada Riera, the president of CEOE Internacional, Marta Blanco, the CEO of Iberia, Luis Gallego, the executive vice president for online travel and director for Asia-Pacific Amadeus IT Group, Mieke de Schepper, and Meliá's Vice President for Asia-Pacific, Bernardo Cabot.
Subsequently, Maroto met with Xiaoping Li, vice president of CTRIP, the main online travel contracting platform in the world and the leading operator in China's tourist issuing market. The purpose of the working meeting was to explore new possibilities for cooperation to channel Chinese tourism to Spain. Maroto highlighted the high degree of satisfaction of tourists who visit our country every year, not only for the offer but also for factors such as hospitality and security. Finally, he emphasized the upcoming celebration of the Xacobeo 2021, an "intercultural and interregional project" in which the Government already works with the regional and local governments.