Internationalization of SMEs Takes Center Stage at Valencia and Alicante Congress
More than 1,200 attendees filled the first day of the congress held on a Tuesday at IFA, a global event designed to promote the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises. The gathering connected Valencian Community participants with Ivace’s external network and opened doors to 40 importer companies from various countries invited by the organizers. Attendees explored the latest trends and practical applications of new technologies in the field.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, expressed satisfaction with the strong company response to the congress. She stressed the importance of designing and delivering tools that are both valid and useful for firms in the Valencian Community to facilitate their international work.
On the opening day, delegates could participate in the general assembly session focused on digitalization and artificial intelligence. Speakers included a digitization specialist, a CEO of a messaging platform provider, a representative from a cosmetics company, and a director of research and development from a tech firm. The lineup highlighted how digital tools and AI can drive international expansion and operational efficiency for growing enterprises.
During the session, the opportunities available to exporting companies were assessed. Emphasis was placed on tools like ChatGPT and the broader need to invest in digitalization, noting the competitive advantage enjoyed by other markets in Asia. Attendees discussed consumer safety, accurate customer identification, and the importance of precise market positioning as firms enter different regions.
At the first conference of financial institutions, titled “New global architecture, risks and challenges in a world under change,” Sabadell’s international director noted that the current moment is a chance to go global, provided risks are understood and managed regardless of company size. The speaker urged evaluating market potential and reaffirmed that internationalization remains essential for SMEs as well as mid-sized and large firms.
Just one hundred companies concentrate more than half of Alicante’s exports, underscoring the impact of targeted international activity in a regional economy.
Ricardo Santamaría, director of country risks at Cesce, highlighted the Valencian Community’s internationalization trajectory. He noted that the regional economy has shown resilience amid the energy crisis, particularly in the tile sector which depends heavily on gas. Cesce has received government guidance to develop a product aimed at strengthening the supply of raw materials and reducing transactional risk in international markets, ensuring better conditions for exporters looking to diversify and expand abroad.