Foreign Ministry to host meeting of top Spanish businesses

 

The Foreign Minister of Spain, José Manuel García-Margallo, will meet with the presidents of 23 multinationals next week to discuss the country's new international economic policy.

Many of the Presidents of a number of Ibex35 Businesses with a stong overseas presence have been invited to the meeting at Madrid's Palacio de Viana, headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 24th January, where the meeting will focus on how to increase the export of Spanish goods and increase expenditure from outside the country.

The meeting is expected to be attended by the following :

Construction sector : Florentino Perez, President of ACS, Rafael del Pino (Ferrovial), Juan Miguel Villar Mir (OHL), Jose Llado (Technical Reunidas), José Manuel Entrecanales (Acciona), Salvador Alemany (Abertis), Manuel Manrique (Sacyr) and Falcones (FCC).

Energy sector : Antonio Brufau (Repsol), Ignacio Sanchez Galan (Iberdrola), Salvador Gabarro (Gas Natural), Felipe Benjumea (Abengoa) and Jorge Calvet (Gamesa).

Financial sector : Francisco González (BBVA), Emilio Botin (Santander) will represent Banking, while Antonio Huertas (Mapfre) represents insurers.

Transport :Carlos de Palacio (Talgo), Luis Cacho (Navantia), Josep Piqué (Vueling) Domingo Ureña (Eads) and José María Baztarrica (CAF).

Telecomms : Cesar Alierta (Telefonica) and Javier Monzón (Indra)

A cynic may note that the constructtion and Infrastructure sector - which has been largely responsible for the collapse of the Spanish Economy and escalating overspending - will be the most represented sector at the meeting next week.

Despite the failure of similiar 'Think Tank' meetings held by the previous administration, this time Foreign Minister has set a much clear objective : How to build and promote Spain as a brand for the overseas market.

Although Chaired by the Foreign Ministry, the Ministries of Industry and Agriculture are expected to play an active role in the initiative.

A main objective will be to develop a closer working relationship with the 130 Spanish Embassies throughout the world, with a focus on developing and emerging markets, away from traditional markets in Europe and the Westen world.

The Government is also exploring ways to increase the presence of Spanish public companies abroad, to accompany the Private sector, such as Renfe, Adif or Aena.