State Secretary for Trade inaugurated meeting of "European Group on Companies and Human Rights"

ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones has formed part of the United Nations Global Compact since September 2017, an initiative that seeks to integrate sustainability into the private business sector with the aim of contributing to the fulfilment of the 2030Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

In her speech, the State Secretary for Trade expressed the firm support of the Spanish trade authorities for sustainability. In this regard, she highlighted "the positive impact of sustainability in competitiveness and the evidence that those companies that innovate on this matter attain a significant competitive edge, coupled with better recognition of their brands".

She also underlined that "ICEX is working to make tools available to companies that place sustainability at the centre of their strategy and their operations on social, environmental, human rights and consumer affairs, with particular emphasis on innovation and business collaboration".

This challenge, which is drafted within the 2030 Agenda, seeks the threefold aim of increasing the presence of Spanish companies in new sectors and markets, fostering the generation of eco-systems that support innovation for internationalisation and enhancing the role of the private sector in achieving the SDGs.

ICEX Impact

With this aim in mind, ICEX set up the ICEX Impact programme in July 2017. The programme seeks to support Spanish companies in the diversification of markets, and in capturing new destinations so as to cater for the needs of segments of the population in emerging countries with high growth potential. The aim is to achieve innovative and profitable solutions in these markets, which allow a response to be provided to the challenges of sustainable development and social inclusion.

Non official translation