The Mayor of Lleida, Fèlix Larrosa, emphasized during the institutional reception that the city “is moving forward, transforming itself, and wants to do so hand-in-hand with its international partners”. Larrosa invited the representatives to “continue strengthening ties” with Lleida and its businesses, and to “actively participate in the opportunities we are making a reality”. He highlighted Lleida as an “administration of trust, security, and stability” and noted that the first Consular Meeting, held two years ago, has enabled a transition from declarations of intent to “projects, investments, and new realities”. Examples cited include the establishment of the Japanese multinational NIPRO, the Lleida Truck Center, and the Rodi Center, projects supported by the Invest in Lleida office, which is currently working on 25 projects representing an investment volume of 213 million euros.
The Mayor pointed to other key initiatives for reindustrialization and investment attraction, such as the new Economic Promotion Ordinance, the development of the new industrial sector of Torreblanca, which will double the industrial area, and the railway intermodal hub. These infrastructures will strengthen Lleida's position as a logistics and business hub, connecting it with the ports of Tarragona and Barcelona and European freight networks, with a forecast of 12,000 trains annually. He also highlighted the impact of the new 116,000 m² trade fair venue and the efforts to connect businesses, universities, and vocational training to consolidate Lleida as a university capital. The impetus from the Economic and Social Council will promote economic diversification, international projection, and quality employment.
Larrosa concluded by stating that cities have “an increasingly important role in the new international reality” and positively valued “strategic alliances” such as those established with the Fira de Barcelona. For his part, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lleida, Jaume Saltó, emphasized that Lleida is a benchmark in agri-food, biotechnology, industry, logistics, renewable energies, digitalization, and advanced services, and that “the future depends on being connected to the world”. The Deputy Director General of Relations with the European Union of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Conxita Font, congratulated the meeting for generating “trust and lasting alliances”.
Consuls and representatives from European, Asian, African, North American, South American, and Caribbean countries attended the meeting. Also present were Deputy Mayor Carlos Enjuanes, Councillor for City Promotion, Pilar Bosch, Councillor for Youth, Education, and Employment, Xavi Blanco, and other members of the municipal corporation, as well as institutional representatives and those from the economic and social sectors. Following the reception, a panel discussion on “Public-Private Collaboration, a Vector for Business Success” was held, and around thirty bilateral meetings were organized to foster cooperation and new economic projects.
The Consular Corps Meeting is a pioneering initiative in Catalonia and is part of the Paeria's Economic Diplomacy Strategy, which aims to project Lleida globally, strengthen its capital status, attract investment and talent, and generate new opportunities.
