2023-12-01 22:43:21
The atmosphere of the gala dinner held in Milan for the 17th edition of the awards given by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Italy It has been most pleasant. The members of the Chamber of Commerce commented in the groups and at the tables about the good work of the chamber, helping them in a permanent way, obtaining good results.
The award-winning companies in this edition were: Acciona, CaixaBank, Gaviota Group, Iberdrola and NH Hotel Group, part of Minor Hotels.
Miguel Fernández-Palacios, Ambassador of Spain in Italy. Isabel Gimeno, General Secretary of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Italy and Gianluca Landolina, President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Italy Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Italy
Present at the event were the Ambassador of Spain in Italy, Miguel Fernández-Palacios; the Vice President of the Senate of the Republic, Licia Ronzulli; the Vice Minister of Justice, Francesco Paolo Sisto; the Vice Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi; the member of the College of ARERA – Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment, Stefano Saglia; and the General Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Inmaculada Riera.
“I am proud of this daily work carried out by entrepreneurs and of so many other things that unite us, because when Spain and Italy work together, we make things change and they also change in both countries. Our work together is very important to change things” Miguel Fernández-Palacios, Ambassador of Spain in Italy, stressed in his speech.
More than 250 guests participated in the event, among them, representatives of the main Spanish companies in Italy, associated with the Chamber; a business network that has around 40,000 employees and generated a total turnover of more than 20 billion euros in Italy during 2022.
The Spain-Italy Chamber Awards were presented to five companies:
Acciona was awarded the Award for Innovation and Sustainable Management of Water Infrastructures, in recognition of the excellent results obtained in reducing water losses and the associated energy savings. The company is a leader in Italy in the field of water treatment and the first operator in the sector as an EPC.
CaixaBank was awarded the Award for Best Initiative in the Banking Sector, in recognition of the opening of its new branch in Italy, with which it reinforces its commitment to the Italian market and the operations of its CIB division in Europe. CaixaBank has been present in the country for more than 20 years, initially with a representative office and since January 2023 with a banking license, allowing the team in Milan to effectively manage clients locally and offer a wide range of financial services and banking for large Italian companies and multinationals in Italy (large corporations).
Gaviota Group was awarded the Award for Business Energy Excellence and Promoter of Domestic Energy Savings, in recognition of its certified level of sustainability (EECS Certification) and its participation in the Treedom project for the reduction of CO2. The company headquarters has 844 photovoltaic panels that generate 346,000 kWh, and the company’s vehicle fleet is made up of hybrid cars.
Iberdrola was awarded the Ecological Transition and Energy Security Award, in recognition of all the efforts made by the Group to contribute to the ecological transition and energy security of Italy. Throughout 2023, it has intensified significant investments that will soon position the company as one of the main wind and photovoltaic operators in the country. In Italy, Iberdrola has a 100% renewable portfolio that covers 120 wind, photovoltaic and storage projects in an advanced development phase, with a total capacity of 4.3 GW. This lays a solid foundation for sustained growth in the country until it reaches its key objectives for 2030 and 2035, allowing it to play a leading role in Italy’s decarbonization and energy security.
NH Hotel Group, part of Minor Hotels, was awarded the Internationalization Award, in recognition of the dedication of all members of NH Hotel Group who work every day to provide those who choose them with infinite destination options and an experience unique and memorable trip. The history of NH Hotel Group, part of Minor Hotels, began in 1978 with the opening of the first hotel in Navarra. Today, with more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality sector. It is one of the main hotel chains worldwide. For 5 years, NH Hotel Group has been part of Minor Hotels with 8 different brands, and has more than 520 hotels around the world. The union with Minor Hotels has been a key strategy in achieving its internationalization objective.
Marco Gilardi. Director of Operations Italy and USA. NH Hotels GroupAlicia Romay
Marco Gilardi, Director of Operations in Italy and the United States, of the NH Group answered La Razón’s questions: “In 2005 – 2006 we began implementing the first hotels in Italy. We have acquired 2 Italian hotel chains, becoming the largest chain in the country. We have 60 hotels. We are the first Italian chain and we are part of the Minor Hotel Group. We still need to implement our hotels in Sardinia and Puglia. In Italy we have more than 8,000 rooms. We hope to reach 10,000 with 100 hotels,” he stated.
Álvaro Trejo Gabriel y Galán. Consul General of Spain and Ricardo Giner, General Director of the award-winning company GAVIOTAAlicia Romay
Ricardo Giner, General Director of the GAVIOTA company, also wanted to comment to La Razón: “We are from Alicante. This company was created 50 years ago in Spain and 20 years ago a company was bought here in Italy to start producing awnings and blinds. Our beloved president’s father, who started with tools, as he is a visionary, did not stop at just that and we went on to manufacture pergolas and everything related to sun protection. And in Italy with so much sun, we are selling them non-stop. The competition is coming but we are fighting. The key to success is to imitate the Italians a little, they are very good, they sell wonderfully. The brand is very important to them and that is what we are doing” he stated.
The president of the Official Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Italy, Gianluca Landolina, highlighted during his speech the magnificent relations between Spain and Italy and the importance of walking together supporting companies and entrepreneurs.
Yolanda Gimeno is the General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in Italy and the “soul” of the Chamber, read the message sent by the Minister of Economic Development of Italy, Adolfo Urso, responding to the invitation to the gala dinner on the occasion of the awards ceremony: “I also greet you on behalf of the President of the Council Giorgia Meloni. We know well that the economies of Spain and Italy are at first levels and in general the exchange models between the two countries in so many areas are complementary.
In the message he gave as an example some sectors of the two countries that walk together, he also mentioned the meetings he had in Brussels and in Spain…he also recalled his participation in different forums held in Brussels and in Spain. He also mentioned the contribution that Spanish companies make in Italy.
The authorities present at the event stressed in unison the good relations that exist between the two countries and the positive nature of the existence of Spanish companies in Italy.
The Spain-Italy Chamber Awards are a recognition granted by the Chamber to Spanish and Italian companies that have stood out for their significant contribution to the promotion and strengthening of economic and commercial relations between Spain and Italy. These awards highlight excellence in business management, innovation and sustainability of Spanish and Italian entrepreneurs, becoming points of reference in both markets.
The Official Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Italy
is a non-profit association, founded in 1953 and officially recognized by the Italian and Spanish governments. Its main objective is to promote economic and commercial relations between Spain and Italy.
•The delivery ceremony took place at the Palazzo Parigi (Milan)
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