Catalonia Trade & Investment has supported 26,000 internationalization projects for Catalan companies over the last 35 years

The President of the Government of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès, announced this Tuesday that ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment’s Offices for Trade and Investment worldwide have supported 26,000 internationalization projects for Catalan companies over the past 35 years since the first overseas offices were established. They represent the government’s primary tool for promoting economic growth abroad, aimed at boosting exports, establishing foreign subsidiaries, international innovation, and attracting foreign investment to Catalonia.

The head of the Executive announced this during a working meeting at the Palau de la Generalitat, assuring that "the ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment offices around the world are an indispensable collaborator in the internationalization of the Catalan economy". Aragonès was accompanied by the Minister of Business and Labour, Roger Torrent, the Minister of Foreign Action and European Union, Meritxell Serret, and the Minister of Culture, Natàlia Garriga. The directors of the 40 Foreign Trade and Investment Offices of ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment also attended the meeting and the government delegates abroad.

“ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment's offices around the world are an indispensable collaborator in the internationalization of the Catalan economy”

Pere Aragonès, President of the Government of Catalonia

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The Government opened the first ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment offices in 1988 in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Milan, and New York, with the most recent one established in Austin in 2020. The services most requested by Catalan companies at these offices are the search for foreign distributors or clients, partner searches, and the organization of trade missions for market prospection. While there is significant diversification, the primary focus in terms of sectors is on projects involving Catalan food companies, ICT, and the industrial digitalization sector.

More exports and more talent

The worldwide network of Trade and Investment Offices is a fundamental asset for the internationalization of Catalan companies. In fact, since 1995, the first year of the historical series, Catalan exports have multiplied by 5.3, reaching €94,926.7 million in 2022. This growth is higher than the average global export growth, which saw a 4.8 increase during the same period.

As well as supporting Catalan companies to increase their international sales and footprint, attract foreign investment, and foster global innovation dynamics, ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment's international network of Trade and Investment Offices has also become a significant catalyst for talent. Over 650 young professionals have participated in the scholarship program to undertake internships at the overseas offices. This opportunity has enabled them to gain expertise in international trade and business management while enriching companies with talent that adds to their competitive edge in global expansion processes.