Nuria Montes travels to London to align with the Hispanic Heritage Festival on October 12, with the Valencian Community serving as this year’s main sponsor. The event is hosted at the Spanish Embassy in London and annually gathers around 600 attendees from the British and Spanish communities across politics, culture, business, finance, and communications. The gathering serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among senior officials, business leaders, and cultural figures who share a commitment to strengthening ties between the regions.
The initial meeting took place in the hall of the Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in London. There, the minister connected with the chief advisor of the Department of Economy and Trade. He expressed appreciation for the minister of trade and the director of investments and industrial sectors and outlined the Generalitat’s dedication to policies aimed at accelerating the development of all productive activities, while promoting investment in innovation, new technologies, and knowledge. This exchange underscored a clear intent: to illuminate opportunities for collaboration and to showcase concrete measures that support economic growth in the Valencian Community. [Citation: Valencian Community]
As Montes explains, the corporate mission presents a chance to highlight how the Valencian economy is opening its doors to the world. It emphasizes supporting the internationalization of Valencian companies, helping them establish a presence in foreign markets, and enabling them to compete on a global stage. The aim is to position the region as a reliable partner for investors and businesses seeking growth and sustainable development. [Citation: Valencian Community]
The Valencian Community is described as one of Spain’s most dynamic regions, consistently leading in exports. The overarching goal is to consolidate the area as an attractive destination for foreign investment. The region wants to be seen as a place of opportunity where investors and firms are warmly welcomed to set up operations, contribute to job creation, and drive broader economic prosperity. Montes stresses that this commercial mission prioritizes forging connections with UK companies in sectors such as sustainability, technology, and innovation, with particular emphasis on the automotive and semiconductor industries to refresh the relationship between Valencian and British industrial ecosystems. [Citation: Valencian Community]
Montes also highlighted the broader purpose of the mission: to build lasting links with UK partners and to explore joint ventures that leverage shared strengths in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technology. The initiative is framed as a lever for upgrading regional supply chains, expanding research and development collaborations, and accelerating the deployment of new technologies in both markets. [Citation: Valencian Community]
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During the itinerary, Montes had a productive discussion with Pru Ashby, head of Sustainability, and other representatives from London Partners, the city’s leading business growth and destination agency. The dialogue focused on how the Valencian Community backs accelerators, incubators, and the early stages of entrepreneurship, including support for the video game sector and collaboration with major universities. These efforts align with a broader strategy to cultivate innovative ecosystems that attract talent and investment from the UK, while also strengthening reciprocal opportunities for cross-border projects. [Citation: Valencian Community]
The conversation confirmed a shared vision: to nurture dynamic innovation clusters that can scale globally, supported by policy frameworks, public-private partnerships, and targeted financial instruments. The aim is to create a more seamless bridge for Valencia and the UK to exchange knowledge, co-develop technology, and accelerate commercial ventures that benefit both sides of the Atlantic. [Citation: Valencian Community]