日本企業にとって魅力的な市場、スペイン
CEJE, ICEX AND CASA ASIA organize a conference together with Cuatrecasas on the opportunities for Japanese companies in Spain
This Thursday, January 19th, the Japan Spain Business Circle (CEJE), together with ICEX-Invest in Spain and Casa Asia, offered a conference with the aim of disseminating the possibilities of the Spanish market for Japanese companies. This event, under the title “Spain, an attractive market for Japanese companies” has been the second of two events exploring bilateral economic relations between Spain and Japan.
On this occasion, the act also had the collaboration of Cuatrecasas, protective partner of CEJE, who provided a privileged space in its offices in Barcelona to carry out the act in person, although guests also had the opportunity to follow the event in streaming.
In order to disseminate all the possibilities and potential offered by the Spanish market to Japanese companies, CEJE, ICEX and Casa Asia have brought together both public institutions and Japanese companies with a presence in Spain to present the institutional experience, as well as the business experience.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Yasushi Sato, Consul General of Japan in Barcelona, who dedicated his speech to highlighting the work of the Consulate in cultivating emotional ties with Spain. As he explained during the session, the importance of cultural aspects, as well as establishing links is not only important, but is also the first and last step in decision-making in Japanese investments in Spain.
The next section of the event focused on institutional support to invest in Spain. To present this topic, the institutional table was attended by Mr. Jorge Lasheras, president of CEJE, Mr. Amadeo Jensana, Director of Economics and Business Deptm at CASA ASIA, Ms. Elisa García, Executive Director of ICEX-INVEST IN SPAIN, and Mr. Joan Romero, Executive Director of ACCIO. Here, the participating experts referred to the continued presence in Spain of important Japanese companies as proof of the interest of Japanese companies in the economic development of Spain. The presence of these companies has also served to promote technological development, providing new business models. From digitalization to green economy, Japanese companies have been very dynamic in recent years, placing Japan as the first Asian investor in Spain. The table also addressed the competitive potential that our country has, which should allow us to attract more Japanese investments to Spain, thus balancing our position in relation to the investments made by Japan in other countries of the European Union.
Next, we went to the business table, which had the intervention of Mr. Albert Garrofé, partner and specialist in M&A at Cuatrecasas, as speaker and moderator. Together with Mr. Garrofé, the examples of success of Japanese companies in Spain were shared by Mr. Shinichiro Miyaguchi, First Secretary of Economy, Embassy of Japan in Spain, Mr. Tsuyoshi Yoneyama, Head of Spain at MUFG BANK, Mr. Antonio Medianero, General Manager at Fujitsu Spain and Mr. Bruno de Bievre, President of UBE Corporation Europe.
During this second part of the event, attendees had the opportunity to hear first-hand the factors that have meant success in Spain for participating Japanese companies, and aspects such as: the importance of education, talent and dedication of employees, the relative speed of the Administration to approve new investments, the development of R+D, in collaboration with research centers, amongst others.
Subsequently, the panelists advanced opinions on how to boost Japanese investment, and commented on the interest of Japanese companies in green economy, digital, mobility, or life sciences, among the most important, to attract these investors, and above all this planned the idea of the need to continue working to enhance the image of Spain in Japan.
During the presentations, another recurring theme in both institutional and business interventions was the importance of talent, explaining that multi-business culture allows its attraction, creation and consolidation. During the presentations, the growth of Barcelona as a hub for international start-ups and its strategic positioning for those companies that arrive in the country were highlighted as well.
The event ended with the intervention of Mrs. Xiana Méndez, State Secretary for Trade, Government of Spain, who closed the event remotely from Madrid, pronouncing a few words about the current situation of the presence of Japanese companies in Spain. Mrs Méndez provided listeners with concrete figures, which indicate not only that the presence of Japanese investments in Spain is consolidating, but also presents a growth trend for some years now. In her speech, the State Secretary for Trade also alluded to the strong message of cooperation demonstrated by the regulatory facilities between the two countries.
Once the event was over, participants and guests in person were able to enjoy a networking drink accompanied by exceptional views of the city of Barcelona from the Cuatrecasas offices.
The Japan Spain Business Circle appreciates the collaboration and support of all the institutions, companies and people who have made possible the celebration of both this event and the first, held on July 14th, under the same general theme.
