<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>King Felipe VI will preside over the opening of the 16th edition of the Spain Investors Day (SID) forum this Wednesday, January 14. The forum will be held “in a complex geopolitical scenario” marked by the tariff policies of US President Donald Trump and the situations in Ukraine, Gaza, and Venezuela.</strong></h4> The forum will take place on January 14 and 15 in Madrid and will include the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares; the Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo; the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles; the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu; the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, Óscar López; and the Minister of Health, Mónica García. The event will also be attended by the Secretary of State and Director of the Office for Economic Affairs and the G20, Manuel de la Rocha Vázquez. The Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard; the Secretary of State for Trade and President of ICEX, Amparo López Senovilla; and the President of the CNMV (National Securities Market Commission), Carlos San Basilio, will be present. Along with the King, the Vice-President of the European Central Bank, Luis de Guindos, and the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, will also speak at the opening ceremony. The Forum will bring together key players in the Spanish economy, including members of the Government's economic team, regulatory bodies, major corporations, and international investors. More than 42 listed companies, 75 speakers, and nearly two hundred national and international investors will participate in ten roundtables and two official luncheons on various topics, analyzing the strengths and challenges of Spain's economic activity within a complex global context. In this edition, participating institutional investors will hold approximately 900 one-on-one meetings with companies from sectors such as energy, finance, defense, tourism, technology, mobility, real estate, and infrastructure, among others. The 16th edition of SID in 2026 takes place against a complex geopolitical backdrop. Europe faces increasing pressure to meet its defense spending commitments to NATO in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The war in Gaza continues to generate regional instability and impact European foreign policy. Added to this is the risk of new tariffs from the United States, which could further strain international trade, and the conflict in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the EU continues its efforts to reduce public deficits while grappling with still-high interest rates. In Spain, persistent political polarization hinders strategic decision-making. Structural challenges such as unemployment and low productivity continue to affect the country's competitiveness. The energy transition is progressing, but it requires significant investment and consensus. In this context, the Spanish economy seeks to consolidate its international presence and influence as an investment destination. The president of the SID (Spanish Investment Forum), Benito Berceruelo, emphasized that “it is essential to make Spain's economic reality known to major investors, thereby fostering a climate of certainty and confidence, always with transparency, in order to boost Spain's attractiveness as an investment destination.” “Investors ask countries,” he added, “for legal certainty, the largest possible markets, clear and consistent regulations, and stable economic policies. At the SID, members of the Government will be able to listen to the demands of companies and investors and explain their plans for the coming months. For their part, listed companies will be able to report on their results for the last fiscal year and announce their projects for 2026.”
