Today the welcome ceremony was held for all the companies of the Hosted Buyers’ Programme, with a special mention to the Mexican companies, guest country of this edition of BIEMH-The International Machine Tool Biennial. Undoubtedly, a country with a very relevant presence at the event and a strategic market for the industry. More than 70 Mexican purchasing companies from the automotive, aerospace, household appliances, moulding and distribution sectors, among others, will take part in the fair this week. 

After the reception, the Ambassador of Mexico in Spain, H.E. Mr. Quirino Ordaz, met with the Mexican companies, to whom the official welcome ceremony was then dedicated by the representatives present: Cristina Campo, Visitors’ Director at BEC; Xabier Basañez, Managing Director at BEC; José Pérez Berdud, President of AFM Cluster; and Ainhoa Ondarzabal, Managing Director at Basque Trade & Investment. In the words of Ondarzabal, “North America represents 9.3% of our exports, with Mexico being the leader in terms of the number of establishments, with 260 out of 192 different companies. Of these 192 companies, 52 belong to the machine tool sector, with 20 production plants, a very significant figure that demonstrates the enormous relationship that exists between the two countries in this field”. 

After the welcome ceremony, the group proceeded to visit the six pavilions of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre to get a first-hand look at the latest developments in the sector. The Mayoress of Barakaldo, Amaia del Campo, is currently chairing the international buyers’ visit to the BIC Bizkaia Ezkerraldea building, the local Business Development Centre. 

This VIP Buyers’ Programme is a response to requests from the exhibiting companies themselves, guaranteeing the presence of hundreds of strategic professionals to meet with. Around 300 senior decision-makers from leading global companies are part of the programme this year. 

Important driving companies from sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, railway, energy, iron and steel and capital goods, among others, have closed meetings with companies at the BIEMH and expanded their investments. The Hosted Buyers’ Programme is a unique initiative among the world’s leading trade fairs in the sector and has undoubtedly become a major attraction of the BIEMH, with the support of Basque Trade & Investment and the Basque Government.