The Xunta has commercial networks in a number of cities around the world, the main function of which is to support Galician companies, intermediary organisations and institutions in their processes, presence and access to new international markets.

These networks complement a wide range of measures designed to boost the increase in quantity, quality and effective impact of Galician company exports, the diversification of markets, digital internationalisation and the training and provision of international talent to firms.

The regional government, via the Igape, makes this resource available free of charge to Galician companies so that they can access all kinds of information, establish contacts, find new clients, prepare agendas, etc., in those markets where there is a network contact. At the moment, these offices exist in the United States (Miami), Mexico, Peru, Morocco and China.

There is also a network contact in the UK for Brexit-related issues. The work it carries out is related to labour consultancy, tax consultancy, customs and administrative management, worker mobility, supply chain, product approval and new certifications and industrial property.

The Emirates and Japan network contacts are expected to be operational in the coming months.

Any Galician company wishing to contact one of the the Igape's network contacts must make a request through the website, specifying the type of service or information required. From there, the contact itself contacts the applicant and begins to provide the service.

Aims

One of the fundamental aims of the Igape is to promote the internationalisation of Galician companies in order to increase their competitiveness. Through this network of contacts, the Igape offers support services for internationalisation in specific countries that offer individualised services free of charge to Galician companies and business associations. The aim is to build a bridge to connect Galician companies with a target market, enabling them to internationalise in an appropriate manner.

The services provided by the Igape's network of contacts are basically: initial accompaniment and advice on a Joint Venture, identification of partners, support for implementation at the destination, preparation of a commercial agenda and business meetings, information and specific support for commercial expansion at the destination and initial follow-up of commercial contacts.

The contacts work with different tools (holding webinars, b2b meetings, trade assignments, telephone contact with companies/organisations, participation in events, opportunities detected in their field), aiming to achieve commercial contact between Galician companies and companies in their own countries. The contacts try to identify business opportunities, focusing on sectors where they have a supply of products and services that can be covered by Galician companies.

Export record

The business contacts are one of the key instruments in the Galician Internationalisation Strategy, the main objectives of which are the commitment to digitalisation and the diversification of export markets. Galician exports have registered a new all-time record in the first half of 2022, reaching 14,406 million euros in sales abroad from January to June, which is 27.1% more than in the same period of 2021.

Promoting innovation, attracting international talent, supporting and publicising success stories, these are some of the lines of action that are already being worked on in order to continue to strengthen Galician exports.