An investment mission in the heart of Mexico
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has begun a trip to Mexico with the clear aim of attracting foreign investment to her region. This strategic move comes in a context where Madrid is already positioning itself as a leader in attracting foreign capital, concentrating 70% of all foreign investment that arrives in Spain.
The spokesperson for the regional government, Miguel Ángel García Martín, defended this external action during a press conference following the Government Council. Despite not having embassies or external offices like other autonomous communities, Madrid has achieved notable growth in investments, reaching 10.7 billion euros between 2019 and 2024. This increase represents an astonishing 68%, surpassing the national growth by 17 percentage points.
Despite the success, the trip has sparked criticism from the opposition. García Martín responded to these concerns by comparing the results obtained by Madrid with the efforts made by Catalonia, which has 40 offices abroad and a considerably larger budget allocated to external action. In contrast, Catalonia only managed to attract 13% of the total foreign investments in the last year.
Ayuso will also participate in the San Marcos tourism fair, where she is expected to showcase the tourism and cultural capabilities that Madrid offers to potential Mexican visitors. Participation in this event has an estimated cost of 300,000 euros, but it is anticipated that this investment will be recouped thanks to the interest generated.
Despite the criticism received for her statements about Hernán Cortés and his historical legacy, García Martín emphasized that Ayuso seeks to strengthen the ties between Spain and Mexico. “We reclaim what unites us,” he stated, highlighting the shared history between both peoples.
However, this trip is not without internal controversies; Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, head of Ayuso's cabinet, will join the tour after appearing before a judge over alleged irregularities related to local journalists. This situation adds an additional layer to the existing political tensions both inside and outside the country.
You may also like
