Leaders and business figures gathered with a single aim: to push forward a plan that could reshape the country’s economic landscape. Before the start of the Quiero Corredor event, a gathering that drew 1,800 businesspeople to the Municipal Congress Hall at Ifema in Madrid for the seventh edition of the Mediterranean Corridor, Mercadona’s president Juan Roig made a pointed call. He reminded attendees that the people who truly build a nation are the entrepreneurs and workers who create wealth, and he pointed to a current rift between politicians and the broader society. Roig warned that a divided Spain hurts everyone and urged a more cohesive approach to national growth.
As the event coincided with the inauguration day of the PSOE candidate Pedro Sánchez, Roig also spoke about the business outlook for the coming years. He asserted that companies need peace to prosper and warned that any escalation of tension, even when mirrored by Mercadona’s expansive footprint in Portugal, would force reconsideration of investment plans. Roig stressed that, regardless of which party governs, it is the business community that must help maintain calm and stability across the country while respecting the framework that sustains long-term growth.
On the progress of the Mediterranean Corridor, Roig asserted that the project could unlock a substantial share of the nation’s wealth. He expressed confidence that the effort, pursued for many years, could yield tangible results and he openly hoped to see meaningful milestones emerge in 2025. The message was clear: a stable, predictable environment will enable strategic investments and momentum across sectors.
play the future
The seventh Mediterranean Corridor event, organized by the Valencian Association of Businessmen, carried the slogan We Risk the Future, a nod to the bold stance required to accelerate infrastructure and regional development. The gathering featured a wide cast of senior officials and industry leaders, including the Minister of State for Transport, Housing and Public Agenda, Raul Blanco; Vicente Boluda, president of Renfe and chair of AVE; and a raft of regional and national figures who spoke about the road ahead. The presence of two regional presidents underscored the importance of cross-regional collaboration in delivering major projects that connect markets and communities.
Key industry voices also participated, highlighting the role of transport and infrastructure in economic resilience. The CEOE president and other top executives from sectors such as rail, air, and logistics stressed the need for coordinated policy, efficient systems, and steady investment to keep the corridor on track. Notable attendees included leaders from Iryo, Air Nostrum, Ouigo Spain, Banco Sabadell, and Grupo Barceló, reflecting a broad consensus across business lines on the strategic value of the corridor. The dialogue emphasized practical steps to accelerate approvals, finance, and implementation while aligning regional interests with national priorities. The event showcased a shared belief that the corridor is more than a transport project; it is a catalyst for regional economic convergence and a commitment to a more balanced national growth model. [citation: AVE conference notes, 2024]