The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, has highlighted Spain’s crucial role as an economic, industrial, and tourist engine in the Mediterranean, consolidating this region as one of the most dynamic and strategic in Europe.
This message was conveyed during his speech at the Economic and Social Forum of the Mediterranean, which is taking place at CosmoCaixa in Barcelona under the slogan A sea of opportunities,, where administrations, companies, and experts gather to promote sustainable development and regional cooperation.
Hereu called for reducing the existing differences between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, highlighting the significant challenge that the fight for equality represents. In his speech, he emphasized that beyond everyday challenges, structural transformations are occurring that align with the philosophy of the forum. “We must face challenges from a democratic and diverse society, combining efforts among different groups,” the minister stressed.
The minister also highlighted that the Spanish Mediterranean arc represents nearly 47% of the national GDP and more than 50% of the country’s exports, establishing itself as the main industrial hub. The government’s transformation strategy, which includes reindustrialization, energy transition, and innovation, has allowed for the injection of nearly 7.2 billion euros in aid to support the national industry. Cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga are at the forefront of this model, while Spain remains a global tourism leader, projecting a more sustainable model with greater added value.
