<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>King Felipe VI presided over the opening of the 15th edition of Spain Investors Day (SID) in Madrid on Wednesday, the forum that brings together the top executives of listed companies, managers of large international funds, as well as members of the Government's economic team and regulators.</strong></h4> The 15th edition of SID is being held, according to its organizers, in "a complex geopolitical context", with challenges such as meeting defense spending commitments with NATO, the fight against the deficit of European countries, conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the possible imposition of tariffs by the United States. "At a national level, political polarization and challenges such as unemployment, productivity and the energy transition add pressure to the Spanish economy, which seeks to consolidate its international prominence," they add. The Spain Investors Day brings together more than 200 national and international investors with the presence of more than 40 listed companies and 75 speakers. In this edition, the participating institutional investors will hold one-to-one meetings with companies from sectors such as energy, finance, tourism, technology, mobility, real estate and infrastructure, among others. The event, which is being held at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Hotel in Madrid, will be closed this Thursday by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, who will be accompanied by the Secretary of State for Trade, Amparo López, and the President of the Forum, Benito Berceruelo. During the inauguration, King Felipe VI - who was accompanied by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Jordi Hereu; the Vice President of the European Central Bank, Luis de Guindos; The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the President of BNP Paribas, Cecilia Boned, highlighted the leadership of Spanish companies in sectors such as technology, innovation and renewable energy, as well as their strength in exports, which are at record levels. “Spain is one of the largest recipients of foreign investment in the world,” he said. This openness, he said, is driving the growth of Spanish companies, despite the moments of uncertainty that are being experienced due to geopolitical tensions and growing protectionism. “Spain is the clear example of a country that has remained faithful to its spirit of openness in complex times,” he said. The Monarch also stated that the internal market is attracting foreign investment and highlighted Spain's “privileged strategic position” in the European Union, particularly in sectors such as fibre optic infrastructure. In summary, he recalled that “foreign investors have made a key contribution to the transformation of the Spanish economy in recent decades.” For his part, Jordi Hereu highlighted the growth of Spanish industry and underlined the positive economic forecasts for Spain that have been launched by international organisations such as the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. “This year has to be the year of investment in Spain more than ever,” said the minister. “We need your interest in Spain and your investment. I am sure that foreign investors will take advantage of the opportunity,” he added. The vice-president of the European Central Bank, Luis De Guindos, stressed that Spain, like the European economy, faces an uncertain scenario, in a scenario in which the services sector is slowing down, while energy prices are still high. However, he pointed out that “looking to the future, the conditions are in place for growth to accelerate, although less than expected at other times.” In this regard, he referred to possible protectionist tensions, but also showed the ECB's firm commitment to stabilising inflation at around 2% in the medium term, after having made four rate cuts since June last year. The Government is also represented at the forum by the Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen; the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu; the Minister of Health, Mónica García; the Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo; and the Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, Oscar López. The members of the Government will advance their vision for this year and will present the lines of action of their departments.
