Catalonia Trade & Investment opens a new office in New Delhi

The Minister for Business and Labor, Miquel Sàmper, announced in New Delhi on Monday that Catalonia Trade & Investment will open its second office in India in the city before the end of 2026. Sàmper made the announcement on the first day of an institutional mission to India taking place this week, which began in New Delhi.

According to Minister Sàmper, “Opening a second office in India will allow us to respond more precisely to both the needs of Catalan companies and to the task of strengthening our efforts to attract investment from one of the greatest growth potential markets.” 

The Minister for Business and Labor went on to say: “Being in New Delhi will also strengthen our ties with India’s political and institutional capital and provide a gateway to the north of the country, at a time when India is playing an increasingly important role in global governance.”

“Opening a second office in India will allow us to strengthen our efforts to attract investment from one of the greatest growth potential markets”

Minister for Business and Labor, Miquel Sàmper

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The opening of the new New Delhi office strengthens Catalonia Trade & Investment’s presence in India at a time when its market offers significant growth prospects. According to Catalonia Trade & Investment estimates, Catalan exports to India are expected to double over the next five years, growing at an annual rate of 20%. This outlook will also be supported by the trade agreement between India and the European Union, which will significantly reduce barriers to market access.

The New Delhi office will support the internationalisation and innovation of Catalan companies, as well as work to attract investment from India. It will be Catalonia Trade & Investment’s eighth office in Asia, where the agency currently has offices in China (Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong), Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), Singapore and Mumbai.

Overall, Catalonia Trade & Investment has a network of nearly 40 international offices covering more than 100 markets. For every euro of public funding invested in this network, €22 are generated in exports and €55 are returned in foreign investment.

A growth rate doubling the global average 

India is the world’s sixth-largest economy and has overtaken China as the world’s most populous country. Its economy is growing at twice the global average, positioning India as one of the markets with the strongest future prospects and a major destination for foreign investment.

Over the past decade, India has doubled its imports from around the world and is now the world’s eighth-largest import market, emerging as a clear alternative to the dominance of China and the United States. The trade agreement signed with the EU, which is currently awaiting ratification, is expected to double EU sales to India over the next six years.

New Delhi ranks first among Indian cities in terms of population, number of companies, GDP and GDP per capita. The new office will give Catalonia Trade & Investment a physical presence in the country’s political and institutional capital, as well as a gateway to northern India. The city leads India in key macroeconomic, business and innovation indicators. It is also the country’s main entry point for imports by air and is an important hub for foreign investment.

Trade relations between Catalonia and India

Trade relations between Catalonia and India are also growing. India has risen from being Catalonia’s 18th-largest trading partner in 2016 to its 15th-largest in 2025. Catalan exports to India have doubled over the past decade, reaching €652 million in 2025. Organic chemicals, machinery and aluminium are among India’s main imports from Catalonia. Catalan exports account for 31% of all Spanish exports to India.

Imports from India, meanwhile, have increased by 61% over the past decade, reaching €2.135 billion in 2025. Catalonia mainly imports organic chemicals, fuels and clothing from India. Overall, 34% of India’s exports to Spain are destined for Catalonia.

The Catalan Government boosts Catalan business internationalisation

Minister Sàmper’s mission to India this week forms part of the new 2026–2030 Strategy for the Internationalisation of the Catalan Economy, promoted by the Government of Catalonia and led by Catalonia Trade & Investment. The strategy aims to help Catalonia’s business ecosystem adapt to the new international trade landscape.

Its main objectives include maintaining Catalonia’s current position as Spain’s leading exporting region, enabling 2,000 additional Catalan companies to begin exporting, and increasing the number of Catalan companies with subsidiaries abroad to 3,500. The strategy also includes the public-private Catalunya Exporta programme, designed to help 2,000 Catalan companies initiate export activity.