ACCIÓ, the agency for business competitiveness of the Department of Enterprise and Work, presented this morning at the World Trade Center Barcelona the markets with the highest potential for Catalan exports, as part of the annual internationalization event ‘Beyond Catalonia, how to do business in the world in 2027’. The event was attended by over 700 businesspeople and international experts.
The Minister of Enterprise and Work, Miquel Sàmper, emphasized Catalonia's openness to the world and assured continued support for companies in their internationalization efforts to diversify markets and turn global challenges into growth opportunities.
ACCIÓ highlighted the importance for Catalan companies to leverage the European Union's free trade agreements, as 86% of Catalan exports go to EU markets or countries with existing trade agreements. Amidst geopolitical conflicts, the focus is recommended on major global markets like China and the United States, alongside diversification towards territories with high growth potential and pending trade agreements.
The highlighted markets include: the United States, which remains a priority for three out of four Catalan companies despite tariffs; China, the second-largest trading partner outside Europe, with a 14% increase in Catalan exports last year; India, a strategic market with strong economic growth and a pending trade agreement with the EU; Brazil, the main economy of Mercosur with an active EU agreement; and Southeast Asia, with agreements with Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, showing economic growth rates exceeding 5%.
The event also featured presentations by experts such as Ricardo Santamaría (Cesce) on the impact of US elections, and Francesca Ghiretti (RAND Europe) on European strategies regarding China's rise. Companies like Roca, HIPRA, and Eurofragance shared their international experiences. Additionally, a practical session on artificial intelligence in export processes and business meetings were organized.
