On Monday, Philip VI urged Spain’s small and medium enterprises to explore the available tools that can help them grow. He suggested these resources could empower SMEs to become engines of broader expansion within the Spanish economy and assured entrepreneurs that the Crown would always offer support and a reliable base to lean on.
He stressed that growth enables a larger role in the country’s socioeconomic development, boosts competitiveness, and creates more skilled, stable employment. It also expands investment capacity, triggering a ripple effect that benefits other firms across regions and sectors, he noted.
In his address at the 10th Cepyme Awards ceremony, the king described a path where SMEs propel prosperity for the Spanish people and sustain ongoing economic expansion. He underscored the potential for pioneers to lift living standards and drive regional progress through responsible growth and innovation.
During his remarks, Felipe VI thanked the presidents of CEOE and Cepyme, Antonio Garamendi and Gerardo Cuerva, for their continued loyalty to the monarchy. He affirmed that business leaders would always find a steady place to rest and receive support from the Crown.
The king also referenced global geostrategic challenges shaping the economy, including the ongoing container crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and rising tensions in the Middle East, all of which have tested Spain’s economic resilience.
He emphasized that the internationalization of Spain’s economy has been a crucial element of the recovery and remains essential for the country’s current economic and commercial standing. This international outlook, he argued, helped address the 2008 financial crisis and continues to play a central role in today’s market dynamics.
Minister of Economy extended his hand to dialogue
Representing the government, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, Carlos Body, attended the closing remarks of the event and reaffirmed the commitment to open dialogue with SMEs. He described a constant quest for the best deals and practical solutions to emerging challenges.
The institution reaffirmed that SMEs sit at the heart of the ministry’s strategy. It pledged ongoing support to help these firms secure financing, scale up, and become more productive and efficient. Investments in technology were highlighted as a priority, framed as a public-interest objective that benefits society as a whole. The Recovery Plan was marked as a key instrument in this effort.
It was recalled that SMEs account for more than 95 percent of the country’s productive fabric. By the end of 2023, Spain hosted roughly three million small and medium-sized companies, employing about ten million people. The figures underscored the essential role SMEs play in the national economy and the need to safeguard their continued growth and competitiveness.