The Plenary of the Chamber of Commerce, heir to the Consulate of Bilbao, has appointed six new "consuls of Bilbao", people who have the name of the town around the world, among them, the president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi.
The president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, has received the imposition of the medal that accredits him as Honorary Consul of Bilbao, granted by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Bilbao, in a ceremony held today at the headquarters of the aforementioned Chamber.
It is a historical figure of Consulate, was recovered by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation in 1991. It is used to appoint honorary consuls among those people whose professional and human merits contribute to the aggrandizement and prosperity of the Villa de Bilbao.
The six new consuls are former mayor Ibon Areso; the director of the Paris fashion museum, Miren Arzalluz; the president of British Airways, Alex Cruz; the notary Vicente del Arenal; the president of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, and the director of the Guggenheim, Juan Ignacio Vidarte.
"Bilbao is the capital of the world," said Antonio Garamendi in his speech. "We will never give up our land and we are very proud of it," he concluded.
The preadent wanted to thank this award to his city and added that "It is exciting that yours will recognize you and proud to know that you will belong to a group that is 500 years old ". On the other hand, he also wanted to recognize the work of Basque companies and businessmen that "have brought us here".
The act of proclamation was held in the Consulate Hall of Bilbao, in the Basque Museum. Previously, in the Church of San Antón, the new consuls have been honored with an aurresku of honor.
The mission of the consuls is "to take the name of Bilbao with pride throughout the world, to spread the virtues of work, honesty and hospitality of the people of Bilbao and Bilbao, and that all its actions are directed to the greater aggrandizement and material and spiritual prosperity of Bilbao and its people ".