III LAC-EU Business Summit

On 16 and May 17, 2010 will be held in Madrid the III EU-LAC Business Summit, during the Spanish Presidency of the European Union under the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean.

Both regions share many interests, the EU is the second largest trading partner in Latin America and the first of MERCOSUR and Chile. The European Union has gradually strengthened its economic and trade ties with Latin America, doubling the trade figures between 1999 and 2008. European imports from Latin America almost tripled, and exports to the region touched the 90 trillion Euros in 2008. Also, the European Union is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Latin America.

The EU-LAC Business Summit is an international event held biennially and brings together business and political leaders from both regions, with the aim of strengthening relations between companies in Latin America and the European Union, promoting the economic and social development of our regions.

The Business Summit will discuss the economic relations between both regions as well as topics related to Innovation and Technology.

The conclusions and final recommendations will be compiled in a document submitted to the Heads of State and Government participating in the 6th EU-LAC Summit.

It is truly a unique opportunity to deepen economic relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, by aiming for greater fluidity of our business relationships.