Andorra's CEA Launches First Transborder Business Forum with Catalonia and Occitania

Andorra's Business Confederation (CEA) has unveiled the first Transborder Business Forum with Catalonia and Occitania, set to bring together companies from the three territories over three days to boost joint projects and collaboration opportunities.

The forum forms part of the II Jornades de Cooperació Transfronterera, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with backing from Creand Crèdit Andorrà. It will run from 21 to 23 October and cover topics such as energy, circular economy, innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, mobility, transport and logistics, agri-food production, aeronautics, industry, cross-border dispute resolution, talent attraction and retention, infrastructure, energy connectivity, and shared value chains.

CEA president Gerard Cadena said Andorra maintains strong ties with its neighbours but must develop them further. He pointed to the Alpine Space model—spanning five EU countries and two from the European Economic Area—as an example of effective cross-border cooperation. Cadena highlighted existing business activities spanning France and Spain, neighbouring firms established in the Principat, and CEA's growing links with organisations in Alt Urgell, Occitania, Catalonia, and Ariège. Initially planned as a single day, the event expanded due to demand.

CEA director Iago Andreu emphasised showcasing successful cross-border cases to inspire new ventures. He outlined the schedule, including a Thursday afternoon and evening session at UNNIC alongside Trobada Business, a Friday morning talk by Dr José Sánchez Guano—former head of the Canary Islands office in Brussels—and a roundtable on agri-food production. The forum aims to conclude with a declaration of recommendations from participating businesses, chambers of commerce, and organisations for political leaders on transborder issues.

Cadena also stressed the EU Association Agreement's role in strengthening Andorra's economy, calling it essential for resilience and diversification through neighbourly cooperation and potential European territorial groupings. He noted the event could revive projects like the Organyà economic zone and Merens initiative, while drawing lessons from more integrated economies such as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.