The Latibex Forum 2024 highlighted the key paper that desempeñan financial markets, such as the Spanish Bolsa, in channeling inversions in Latin America and America. This event, celebrated in the emblematic Palace of the Stock Exchange in Madrid, brought together entrepreneurs, investors and experts to discuss the economic opportunities that the region offers and how Spain can consolidate itself as a strategic bridge for Latin American businesses in Europe.
During the inaugural session, David Jiménez-Blanco, vice president of BME (Bolsas y Mercados Españoles), noted that current conditions are favorable for Ibero-American businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (PIMEs) and startups, to consider getting on the stock exchange in the Spanish markets. According to Jiménez-Blanco, these companies have the necessary foundations to generate sustainable returns around the world, especially in sectors related to sustainability and major global changes, such as climate change and population growth.
Amparo López Senovilla, secretary of the State of Commerce, underlined the importance of Latin America as the center of external Spanish politics. It is noted that three Latin American countries are among the ten main destinies of the direct Spanish revolution in foreign countries, a relationship that has generated more than 425,000 employees in the region. This bond, of course, is a clear example of the close economic and cultural connection between Spain and Iberoamerica.
For his part, Manuel Cendoya, vice president of Santander Spain, and Juan Aguayo, partner of Cuatrecasas, brought key data on the trust that Spanish companies deposit in Latin America. I mentioned that 76% of Spanish companies present in the region have plans to increase inversions, driven by improved legal certainty and structural reforms implemented in various countries. Furthermore, it has been shown that many Latin American companies have identified Spain as an ideal platform for their international expansion, taking advantage of the financial opportunities that the Spanish value market offers.
The prominence of Latin American companies in Spain was also highlighted by Aguayo, who explained that Cuatrecasas has a team of 220 employees distributed across its workshops in Latin America, helping both local companies and those seeking to expand in Europe. Then, these companies found in Spain a favorable environment for their growth, thanks to the stability of the market and the financial possibilities they offer.
Macroeconomic prospects and sustainability in the region
The event also included a series of thematic panels addressing Latin America's challenges and opportunities from different perspectives. One of the most notable points was the macroeconomic analysis of the region, in which experts such as Javier J. Pérez of Banco de España, Alejandro Padilla of Banorte and Juan Cerruti of Santander discussed how Latin America could capitalize on the trade dynamics global ones derive from the rivalry between the United States and China. In this context, the speakers reported that the region has a strategic card in key sectors such as energy and technological transition, exploiting its potential to meet the growing demand for raw materials essential for the green transformation processes in Europe.
The other notable panel was the one dedicated to sustainable reversal in Latin America, including Augusto Caro (CFA Society Spain), Jorge Murillo Núñez (Volcán Compañía Minera) and Luiz Alberto Esteves (CAF Banco de Desarrollo). Subjects discuss how sustainable inversions can generate significant benefits for both businesses and local communities. Topics such as the need to develop a green taxonomy specific to the region and the importance of linking sustainable inversions with broader social objectives, promoting inclusive development that has a positive impact on the well-being of populations, were addressed.
In this context, participants transformed the mining sector into a key area for sustainable reversal, underlining that adequate regulation and promotion of good practices can transform it into an engine of economic and social development for Latin America.
Opportunities in variable rental markets
The last panel of the day focuses on the opportunities that variable rental markets offer in Latin America. Fernando Luque (Morningstar), Dídac Pérez (Caja de Ingenieros) and Héctor Godoy (Santander AM) agree that the region's stock indices present significant attraction for investors, especially given the high valuations that predominate in markets such as United States.
Experts have warned that while Latin American markets face risks associated with political and economic volatility, they also offer considerable growth potential, driven by sectors such as technology, renewable energy and commodities. According to the panelists, these factors have converted Latin America into an ideal destiny for diversifying reversal cards, especially in a global context of economic uncertainty.
A promising future for Spain-Latin America relations
The Latibex Forum 2024 reaffirmed the importance of economic banter between Spain and Latin America, taking advantage of mutual reversal opportunities and the strategic foil of both markets in an increasingly globalized world. With initiatives like this, it seeks to strengthen economic and cultural relations between various regions, promoting sustainable development and shared benefits.
As Latin America continues to consolidate itself as a key player in the global economy, events like the Latibex Forum are essential to building bridges between businesses, investors and governments, promoting a dialogue that boosts growth and cooperation. Spain, as a gateway to Europe, and Latin America, with their wealth of resources and expanding markets, are called to follow their strategic partners in the years to come.
The Forum made it clear that, while challenges exist, the opportunities for other regions are enormous. The combination of sustainable turnarounds, technological innovation and close collaboration promise a future full of possibilities for Spain and Latin America, reaffirming its foil as a natural alias in the global economic landscape.
