Catalonia's Southeast Asia investment outreach

Catalonia President Salvador Illa launched a week‑long diplomatic‑economic mission on 25 July 2026, visiting Vietnam and Singapore to promote the region as a gateway for Catalan firms. The itinerary included stops in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore, meetings with Vietnamese Vice‑Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and a business forum in Da Nang. The tour highlighted Catalonia’s “Asia Strategy” (2025‑2030), aiming to attract investment, secure direct flights with Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines, and showcase local companies such as Savall Chocolate and Eurofragance.

On 27 July, Illa met the Vietnamese vice‑prime minister in Hanoi and announced a strategic partnership focused on trade, technology, logistics, agriculture, tourism and sport, with EU and foreign affairs minister Jaume Duch in attendance. The same day, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce signed an economic cooperation pact in Hanoi. The agreement, signed by chamber heads Josep Santacreu and Nguyen Quang, calls for joint trade missions, conferences, technology collaboration and sustainable tourism initiatives, and highlights a possible direct flight between Barcelona and Vietnam to boost tourism and business.

These developments reinforce Catalonia’s effort to position Vietnam as a conduit to Southeast Asian markets and to deepen economic ties across the region.