presence abroad, this also contributes to
the internationalisation of companies.
In 2015, Fira de Barcelona continued
to participate in the organisation abroad
of several events that are already well
positioned in Barcelona, such as Ali-
mentaria in Lisbon and Mexico City, and
the Smart City Expo World Congress in
Kyoto and Montreal. Fira also launched
the 2016 editions of this event, which
returns to Kyoto once more, as well as
visiting the Mexican city of Puebla. Over
the course of 2015, Fira also held talks
with Istanbul and Casablanca, with a
view to organising the event in these cit-
ies in the future.
An important step to strengthen
international business was taken in Qatar.
Besides the joint organisation of the
motor and jewellery shows, 2015 also
saw the VPM joint venture established
between Fira de Barcelona and the Qatari
company ELAN, win the competition
organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority
to manage the new Doha Exhibition and
Convention Centre. Work also progressed
with a view to staging, in addition to the
two aforementioned shows, new fairs
devoted to beauty, children and technol-
ogy, among others.
Another important landmark, coin-
ciding with the establishment of a new
framework for economic and political
relations with Cuba, were the agreements
reached with the Cuban State company
Palco to design and launch a new port-
folio of shows devoted to the restaurant
and hotel sectors, security, the graphic
arts and packaging, which will begin to
take place gradually from 2016 and 2017.
Today, more than 50% of exhibitors at
professional shows and 40% of visitors
are international. Fira has a network of
delegations abroad, and is represented in
15 countries and has partners in an-
other 20, covering the European Union,
the principal global economies and the
emerging countries.
Fira de Barcelona’s activity
generates substantial
economic and social impact
on the territory, business and
job creation
24
2015 summary
The presence of exhibitors,
visitors and professionals from
around the world enables our
country’s businesses to estab-
lish contacts and relations.
