The Diplomat
The Council of Ibero-American Businessmen (CEIB) yesterday released a note in which it advocates business unity on the occasion of the celebration of Ibero-American Day.
After remembering that the celebration has its origin in the first Ibero-American Summit of heads of State and Government held in Guadalajara (Mexico), in 1991, CEIB pays tribute to the business community that forms the so-called “Ibero-American business space”, led by the 25 business organizations members of the CEIB itself and the OIE (International Organization of Employers) and the 17 associations of FIJE (Ibero-American Federation of Young Entrepreneurs).
“We represent and defend – says the note – millions of companies, small, medium and large, in a united and unique business space, from which we speak with a single voice and will continue to do so about freedom and democracy, commitment to multilateralism, regional integration, firm promotion of intraregional trade, defense of the company, promotion of strategic alliances, social dialogue, legal and social security, competitiveness, elimination of barriers, administrative simplification, development of infrastructure projects, training, talent retention, innovation and digitalization, public-private collaboration, and sustainability.”
Likewise, it reiterates the importance of the Summits of Heads of State and Government and the Ibero-American Business Meetings, which are organized together with them, considering them “the best regional integration tool that exists and that allows us to lead hand in hand with the Secretariat. General Iberoamericana-SEGIB an intense work program on crucial issues such as MSMEs, connectivity, sustainability, tourism or regional integration, among others.”
He later recalled that the Ibero-American Secretary General, Andrés Allamand, stated: “Ibero-Americanism is alive and we are committed to growth that must be politically inclusive, socially viable and environmentally sustainable.”
For his part, Antonio Garamendi, president of CEOE, said: “Social dialogue is the best infrastructure that a country has; and training and employment the best formulas for social inclusion.”
And Rebeca Grynspan, current secretary general of UNCTAD and former Ibero-American secretary general, pointed out: “Ibero-America is a space of construction and agreements, of dialogue and understanding and, above all, a multi-actor space, in which the to businessmen, to national and local governments, to citizens and to civil organizations.”
Also, Francisco Jarrín, pro tempore president of CEIB and president of the FNCIE, stated: “Governments must facilitate the attraction of investments for the creation of more companies, not hinder productive activities and encourage the participation of civil society in the resolution of social problems”.
The Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB) advocates for business unity on the occasion of the celebration of Ibero-American Day.