46 Catalan companies opened subsidiaries abroad this year, 44% more than in 2023

2024 has seen 46 Catalan companies open subsidiaries abroad this year, up 44% in comparison to 2023. 

The main markets of business for these companies are Mexico, with seven, the United States with six, and Colombia, Italy, and the United Kingdom with four each.

The companies are from sectors such as Information and Communications Technologies, engineering and architecture technical services, the chemical industry, machinery manufacturing, and the food industry.

These figures were announced on Tuesday as part of the event 'Beyond Catalonia, how to do business in the world in 2025', held at the World Trade Center in the Catalan capital.

Around eighty Catalan firms have received grants to cover 50% of the investment in the past two years, for a maximum of €60,000 per project.

Impact on Catalan GDP of Trump's election

The Secretary of Business and Competitiveness, Jaume Baró, analyzed the main issues that will affect the international market in the coming years.

Baró calculated that the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House may affect the "€3.65 billion that Catalonia exports to the United States, and the more than 3,100 companies that regularly export there."

The head of Catalonia Trade & Investment group also highlighted that Trump's "protectionist policy" could reduce the Catalan GDP "by 0.2 percentage points."

Catalonia Trade & Investment, the Catalan government's business office, pointed out that Catalonia has more subsidiaries in the United States than any other country, with 1,453.

Baró also said that between January and August 2024, sales in the American market increased by 17.8% compared to the same period last year.