Salvador Illa calls for balanced business relations between Catalonia and Vietnam. He presses the PP to engage on regional funding reform. The visit highlights Catalonia’s economic ambitions in Asia.
Salvador Illa, president of Catalonia, has called for deeper and more stable business connections between Catalan and Vietnamese companies, using a major investment forum in Ho Chi Minh as a platform to promote the region’s economic strengths. Speaking at the ‘Ho Chi Minh-Catalonia Investment Cooperation Conference’, Illa positioned Catalonia as a strategic entry point not only to Spain but to the wider European market of 450 million people. He highlighted the region’s open and diversified economy, aiming to attract Vietnamese interest in long-term partnerships.
The conference, organized by Vietnamese authorities in partnership with Acció, Catalonia’s public agency for business growth, brought together Catalan firms already operating in Vietnam, representatives from Acció, and a range of Vietnamese business and economic stakeholders. Sessions focused on practical ways to expand economic ties between Catalonia and Ho Chi Minh City, reflecting a growing trend of Spanish regions seeking new markets in Asia. The event marked the final stop of Illa’s official visit to Vietnam, a country now recognized as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, with a projected growth rate of 8.02% for 2025.
During the forum, Illa also addressed Spain’s ongoing debate over regional funding reform. He pointed to the recent postponement of the Council for Fiscal and Financial Policy, which is set to reconvene on September 4, and directly challenged the Partido Popular (PP) to move beyond delays. According to Illa, the government’s commitment to dialogue on this issue is crucial, as it involves allocating €20 billion to support public healthcare and education. He urged PP-led regions to focus on solutions rather than excuses, signaling a sharpened tone as the deadline approaches.
After concluding his Vietnam visit, Illa continued his Asian tour in Singapore, where meetings were scheduled with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the EU ambassador to the city-state, Artis Bertulis. His agenda also included discussions with Catalan business leaders based in Singapore. This marks Illa’s third official trip to Asia in just over a year, following visits to Japan and South Korea in May 2025 and China in July, all part of the Catalan government’s Asia Strategy for 2025–2030.
The push for international partnerships by Catalan authorities echoes broader efforts to strengthen the region’s economic profile. For example, recent agreements such as the strategic deal between Indra and Bold in Barcelona have aimed to boost local industry and technology sectors, as reported in this coverage of Catalonia’s tech sector partnerships. These moves reflect a wider ambition to position Catalonia as a key player in global markets, leveraging both public and private initiatives.
Vietnam’s rapid economic ascent has made it an attractive destination for European investment, with Ho Chi Minh City emerging as a central hub for international business in Southeast Asia. Catalonia’s outreach aligns with a broader Spanish trend of seeking diversified trade partners beyond traditional European and American markets. The focus on balanced, long-term relationships suggests a shift from short-term deals to more sustainable economic integration. As the September deadline for Spain’s regional funding reform approaches, the interplay between domestic fiscal policy and international economic strategy is likely to remain a central issue for Catalan leaders and businesses alike.
