Foment del Treball has taken a new step in its international projection strategy with the opening of a commercial office in Shanghai, an initiative designed to strengthen economic relations between Catalonia and China and facilitate the presence of Catalan companies in one of the most dynamic markets in the world.
The new headquarters joins the international network of the employers’ association, which already has a presence in Brussels, Morocco, and Porto, and is born with the intention of becoming a true business bridge between both territories. At the head of the office will be Jordi Aranega, vice president of HRC Group and president of ACCEDER Catalunya, as president, and economist Lei Ren, as vice president.
The inauguration coincides with the signing of various collaboration agreements between Foment del Treball and some of the main economic institutions in Shanghai, including the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce and the Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai, as well as strategic alliances with entities such as the Bund International Talent Service Center and HRC Group.
During the institutional event, which was attended by business and diplomatic representatives from both countries, the president of Foment, Josep Sánchez Llibre, highlighted the strategic nature of this initiative: «This agreement is not a destination point, but the starting point of a new phase aimed at strengthening reciprocal investments and opening the door of the Chinese market to more Catalan companies».
An economic corridor with great growth potential
The opening of the office is based on increasingly solid commercial relations between Catalonia and China. In 2024, Catalan exports to the Asian giant reached 1.829 billion euros, while more than 1,250 Catalan companies regularly export to the country and over 280 companies have a stable presence through subsidiaries.
For its part, Chinese investment in Catalonia has exceeded 1.279 billion euros over the last five years, contributing to the creation of more than 2,300 direct jobs. Currently, around 200 Chinese capital companies operate in Catalonia.
The activity of the new office will focus on sectors considered strategic for both economies, such as electric mobility, batteries, advanced chemical industry, robotics, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, agribusiness, and circular economy.
Internationalization with business support
Foment wants this new structure to act as a practical tool for Catalan companies, especially small and medium-sized ones. The goal is to provide support in identifying local partners, understanding the regulatory environment, and seeking investment and expansion opportunities. «Internationalization requires much more than exporting. It involves understanding the market, adapting to its environment, and generating trust alliances. We want our companies to have direct and secure access to China,» Sánchez Llibre stated.
Looking at Jiangsu, one of the industrial engines of China
As part of the institutional visit, the Foment delegation also held meetings with the authorities of Changshu and the province of Jiangsu, one of the main industrial hubs of the country. Both parties explored cooperation opportunities in areas related to advanced industry, technological innovation, and attracting investments. Catalonia, responsible for nearly 19% of Spanish GDP, and the economic area of Shanghai, which generates around 14% of Chinese GDP, share a strong industrial vocation. In this context, Foment believes that there are ample opportunities to develop joint projects that contribute to strengthening the competitiveness and reindustrialization of both economies.
