The Business Council for Ibero-America (EC), an entity that brings together presidents of 190 Ibero-American companies, is committed to “strengthening economic relations” in these geographies and considers Portugal to be a key actor for both the economy and development. sustainability of the region.” This week CEAPI held meetings, and in Porto in which around 60 companies, from Lisbon, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Argentina and Peru participate.

“This moment of recovery, after the severe economic and social blow of covid-19, is the perfect point to restore the bonds of trust between business leaders. For this reason, we see these international meetings as an opportunity to start building the Ibero-America that we want and need. We want as our borders, since we have developed a representation of Ibero-America’s involvement in the expansion of Ibero-America is fundamental”, the president of Portuguese expansion that API is fundamental”. the Ibero-American community cannot be understood without Portugal.“Without a greater Portuguese private sector, economic and business relations will never be 10% activism”, he emphasizes.

The meetings will also serve to announce the holding of the V Ibero-American Congress, which CEAPI will organize on the 1st and 2nd of Punta Cana, Dominicana. An event that aims to “promote social transformation, valuing the figure of entrepreneurs as agents of positive change”. Digital transformation will be the main theme of the congress, given that “it is a fundamental pillar for reducing the development of the economy, inequalities and increasing productivity in the region”.

“Our objective, as the business council, is to promote trust among entrepreneurs and value the role of the American entrepreneur in society, in order to grow and strengthen the Ibero-objective business fabric. Dialogue and debate do not qualify economic business, you can exchange ideas , perspectives of spaces and business experiences and, above all, qualify new investments and commercial initiatives”, Núria Vilanova. And if international investment between the countries of the region “is fundamental for the development of this type of relationship”, it is first necessary to create trust, which “can only be won through patient dialogue between the most important economic actors in each country”, considered .

CEAPI recalls that the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) is a “key factor” for the growth of the post-pandemic economy, fostering that of companies. “This development can be reflected in its internationalization”, says Núria Vilanova, recalling that, in 2000, Latin America already represented 2.1% of exports of goods and 3.1% of Portuguese exports2. Furthermore, he highlights that Spain is the main destination for Portuguese economic exports, with more than 25% of the total, “a number that reinforces and encourages the idea of ​​greater public-private collaboration and the joint participation of countries, in order to that we grow together, generate sustained growth and consolidate solid business, trade and investment relationships that boost our economies and generate wealth and development for our societies”, he defends.

Created in 2014, CEAPI is today an association that brings together 190 entrepreneurs, “both sides of the Atlantic”, 25% of which are from the largest business groups in Latin America. Repsol España, Eulen, Grupo Boluda, Red Eléctrica de España (REE), Coquecol, Hispasat, Iberia, Bimbo, Procafecol, Copa explorations or Grupo Puntacana are some of the partners. The objective is to continue to grow, “not only in terms of the number of members, but also as a reference body for Ibero-American companies”.