Jenniffer González Colón seeks commercial investment from Spain in Puerto Rico for Spanish companies

Madrid, Spain-The resident commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, highlighted investment opportunities on the Island during her message to the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) on her third day of the visit in the Spanish capital as co-president of the Congressional Friends Caucus from Spain.

The Commissioner stressed that because of the devastation caused by the hurricanes Irma and María, Puerto Rico is in a reconstruction phase driven by the greater allocation of federal funds they have received in its history and for this, highlighted the excellent workforce of Puerto Ricans and the opportunity to invest in the island.

"I thank the solidarity of the Spanish people with the Island after the passage of the hurricane and this invitation from the Spain-United States Council Foundation and its Secretary General Ambassador Manuel Lajerreta for the coordination of our agenda and visit. Puerto Rico is the perfect framework for capital investment and the use of Public-Private Partnerships for the public policy of the government of Puerto Rico. The process of reconstruction of the island presents a historic opportunity for business and commercial activity that can regain the impetus of the import and export of products and services with Spain," said Congresswoman Jenniffer González Colón.

Likewise, González Colón noted the great interest of Spanish companies in developing opportunities in areas such as housing, energy, transport, infrastructure, communications and roads.

The Commissioner highlighted the presence of Spanish companies on the island such as MAPFRE, Iberia, Santander, Ferrovial, BBV, Abertis, among others who want to continue and expand their businesses in Puerto Rico.

The CEOE is a network of 240 Spanish organizations that include the construction industry that accompanied the Spanish Chamber of Commerce today in the presentation that González had about business and investment opportunities in Puerto Rico, culminating her work agenda in Spain.

The day began with the meeting between the commissioner and the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and Andorra, Duke Buchan III, at the United States Embassy.

González Colón had already worked with Ambassador Buchan to promote the discussion on the relations between the United States and Spain; the most recent one in June when the commissioner held a round table with Ambassador Buchan III, the then Spanish Ambassador Pedro Morenés and congressmen to discuss security, economy and culture issues between both nations as part of his duties as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus Friends of Spain.

The Secretary of State for Commerce, Xiana Méndez Bértolo, attended the meeting and described González's visit to Spain as a great opportunity to establish relations and announced a visit with ICEX (the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade) to Puerto Rico on October 16th and 17th for a commercial mission to continue the efforts and alliance.

During her visit, promoted by the Spain-United States Council Foundation, the commissioner met with members of the Foundation at "Casa de América"; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Spain, Fernando Valenzuela; the Committee of Women Entrepreneurs that promote gender diversity and inclusion of the AmCham organization; Charles Powell of the Elcano Royal Institute, which serves as a laboratory of ideas; spoke with editors of the main Spanish newspaper, El País; directors of the Cervantes Institute, the main propelling institution of the Spanish language; and with the president of the Congress of Deputies of Spain and third in rank in the Spa