Badajoz promotes cross-border business cooperation with Portugal

During the FEHISPOR multisectoral fair, leaders in Badajoz emphasized the need to strengthen economic and social ties between Spain and Portugal. The event, organized by the Badajoz Chamber of Commerce, aimed to transform the physical proximity between Extremadura and Portugal into increased investment, employment, and business partnerships.

Mariano García Sardiña, president of the Badajoz Chamber of Commerce, stated that the border should serve as a shared competitive advantage rather than a limit for companies. He positioned Badajoz as a leading business hub for the southwest region.

However, officials noted several obstacles to seamless cross-border operations, including legal uncertainty, bureaucratic hurdles, taxation issues, and regulatory differences between the two countries. The Badajoz City Council added that true connectivity requires more than just physical infrastructure, such as roads or railways, and must include policies that allow people and businesses to operate naturally across the border.