The financial seeds planted by spanish companies in Latin America They have been tripling harvests for 15 years, reaching a historical peak of 245,216 million euros (285,588 million dollars) in 2023, well above the 82,000 million euros (95,439 million dollars) in 2007.
In 2024 alone, some 2,100 corporations of the “Motherland” invested in Latin Americawhile only 500 stopped doing so due to strategic issues. This is highlighted by the study “Recent evolution of Spanish investments in Latin America“, prepared by the Alianza por Iberoamérica Business Council (Ceapi).
In the case of Dominican Republicthe number of spanish companies with capital greater than 50% went from 93 in 2014 to 344 in 2024. At a general level, the number has multiplied by four in the last decade, going from 2,330 in 2014 to 10,811 in 2024.
The report, prepared by the Complutense University of Madrid and which shows the ascending trend which has been consolidated after the pandemic, is proudly defended by Núria Vilanovapresident of Ceapi.
One of the objectives is to dismantle the false story that Spanish corporations are leaving Latin Americawhen the reality is the other way around: for every company that leaves, four enter and there is one ascending curve in the last three years.
“He fact kills story“says Vilanova. He cites that the investments correspond to key areas, such as energyinfrastructure, technology and consumption. There are also them in tourism and agribusiness. The mining It is a point to promote, he emphasizes. It also makes it known that no other region in the world receives more Spanish investment than Latam.
With more investments
Mexico concentrates 28.9% of the investment, followed by Brazil with 21.8%, Argentina 19.4%, Chile 9.5% and Colombia 5.8%. The data reflects a growth sustained and with prospects of growth.
“At spanish companiesIn general, they have done well in Latin America…If we let the false story about what Spain divests in Latin Americathat can cause those who were waiting to enter not to do so,” says the executive of the Ceapian entity founded 12 years ago and which brings together 370 presidents of companies with a presence in the region.
The exit of those companies, such as Telephonehe left for strategy, clarifies Vilanova during an interview with Free Diary.
He tourism
In the case of tourismthe main investment sector of the spanish companies in Dominican Republicpoints out that this line has a double impact: an immediate economic one, through its capacity to generate shared wealth; and one of influence, because tourists create emotional and economic ties in the receiving nation.
He cites as an example the large number of Latin American investors who invest in Spainoccupying fourth place in the ranking of the regions that invest the most in Spain. Specifically, they do so in real estate. They were an investment that, at first, was a means of leisure, but it spread to other sectors.
The projection is that it will continue to grow because many of the spanish companies They are receiving resources from corporations from other European countries, Qatar, the Middle East, among others.
In a statement, Isabel Alvarezone of the authors of the study, said that: “Beyond the evolution of specific sectors that have their own dynamics, the investment position of Spain shows a trajectory of growth constant, especially in recent years.
In the case of Quisqueya, Vilanova points out that the Spanish companies that planted in this country have done very well, as have those that have done so in tourism, hospitality and energy. In that sense, he specifies that this produces a significant attraction effect.
“So, the Dominican Republic, despite its size, has an impact in Spain much greater than its size,” says Vilanova. In tourism, the Dominican Republic is a success story, but it still has a lot to do,” she warns. She cites as an example that Spain, with 47 million inhabitants, is going to reach 100 million tourists a year. The history of the Dominican Republic is “spectacular” and can still continue to grow, warns the head of Ceapi. In 2024, Ceapi organized its first annual meeting outside of Spain in this country. Vilanova is in love with this country, especially for the central part, such as the mountains and waterfalls of Constance.
