Foro Impulsa discusses development for Southwest Iberia

The second edition of the Foro Impulsa del Suroeste Ibérico held a council meeting in Cáceres to discuss development strategies for the Southwest Iberian region. Participants, including representatives from administration, business, academia, Renfe, and civil society, focused on key drivers such as rail and road infrastructure, air transport, logistics, water, energy, and digitalization.

While improving connections for Extremadura was a central theme, experts warned that infrastructure alone is insufficient for development. They emphasized that physical connections must be paired with industrial growth, talent retention, cooperation, and long-term territorial strategies.

The initiative aims to foster alliances between Spain and Portugal, specifically targeting the joint development of Extremadura, Andalusia, and Portuguese regions including Alentejo, Algarve, Lisbon, and Centro. These expert meetings serve to identify barriers and opportunities ahead of a major summit scheduled for December 2 in Badajoz.