The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, highlighted Spain’s role as Mexico’s «gateway» to the European Union and encouraged maintaining this relationship as an «ally and strategic partner» to speed up the entry into force of the trade agreement between Mexico and the EU.
In declarations to the media during his visit to Mexico, Maroto expressed his desire to modernize this «important agreement» so that multilateral trade can be an ally in the current context of global crises.
«This decision will increase the diversification and resilience of the supply chains of the European Union and Mexico, increasing export and investment opportunities for our companies, underpinning the necessary economic recovery in both regions,» she said.
STRONG» RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPAIN AND MEXICO The Minister also attended a Spanish-Mexican business meeting at the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, where she highlighted the strength of trade relations between Spain and Mexico, which is reflected in the positive evolution of trade, which has reached pre-pandemic levels.
In this sense, Maroto highlighted the importance of holding the Binational Commission between Spain and Mexico after five years, a «historic» event that shows the importance given by both countries to trade and economic policy as a «pillar» of growth, wealth and welfare for its inhabitants.
In addition, the Minister of Industry has referred to the roots that Spanish companies have in the Mexican ecosystem. «National companies feel comfortable in the country and want to continue investing,» she said.
However, he also expressed the desire of the Spanish business community in Mexico to have legal certainty. «Companies want the entry into force of the trade agreement to reinforce the current business climate,» he explained.
Spain has been the second largest investor worldwide in Mexico for years, while Mexico ranks sixth in Spain. «Despite a complex international environment, Spanish investment flows in Mexico have been maintained and we hope to deepen this growing presence,» said the Minister of Industry.
FOUR-DAY WORKING DAY, STILL A PILOT PROJECT On the other hand, in relation to the implementation of the four-day working day in Spain, the Minister of Industry pointed out that it is still a pilot project, since the results are unknown, although she said that with this test she hopes to see improvements in labor relations, both for companies and for workers.
«It seems to us an opportunity to facilitate the labor conciliation of workers, but also for business profitability, which reflects that this project has a dual approach and we hope that the conclusions will allow us to know whether its implementation can be generalized,» he explained.
Thus, he reminded that «there is still time» to make a general reflection, but he emphasized that the Government «approaches this project with enthusiasm», encouraging companies to participate.
