From 29 November to 5 December 2025, Barcelona took part in the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), one of the most prestigious literary events in the Spanish-speaking world, as the guest city of honour. Alongside the cultural programme, the city carried out a business and institutional mission as part of the Barcelona Business Bridge, jointly organised by Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

The Barcelona Business Bridge is an international economic promotion programme that aims to position Barcelona as a destination for investment, talent and business opportunities. This new edition leveraged FIL’s international reach to highlight the city’s economic strengths, reinforce its presence in strategic markets and drive the internationalisation of Barcelona’s business network.

The mission to Guadalajara and Mexico City has helped deepen Barcelona’s economic ties with Mexico, a key partner for the city, while opening up new business opportunities, supporting the international activity of Barcelona-based companies and attracting global talent and investment.

The official delegation was led by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, and the fifth Deputy Mayor, Raquel Gil, accompanied by representatives of Barcelona’s business network.

A new air connection between Barcelona and Mexico City

From March 2026, Aeroméxico will connect Barcelona and Mexico City with six direct flights a week. The presentation of the route, which took place during the official visit to Mexico City, is the result of collaboration between Aeroméxico and the Barcelona Air Route Development Committee (CDRA), which comprises Spanish airport operator Aena, the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. Notably, Mexico City is one of the main destinations for air exports from Barcelona and also one of the most significant points of origin for air imports into the region.

Strengthening the relationship between Barcelona and Mexico

The Fair provided a platform to strengthen the relationship between Barcelona and Mexico and to expand it to other strategic areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship, education and economic development.

The Barcelona pavilion at the FIL was the focal point of the cultural activities, while the Barcelona Business Bridge programme enabled the Barcelona delegation to establish key connections with companies, institutions and investors in Mexico and to foster new opportunities for business and international collaboration.

Key activities: consolidating opportunities and alliances

One of the key activities was the Barcelona–Mexico Opportunities Seminar held at the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, where companies and institutions from both locations explored new collaborations in sectors such as technology, life sciences and infrastructure. The Barcelona delegation also took part in a business breakfast with the Club Català de Negocis, presenting Barcelona’s new economic agenda with a focus on promoting investment and creating international business opportunities.

Another highlight of the mission was the ‘Barcelona, ciudad de talento y emprendimiento,’ [Barcelona, a city of talent and entrepreneurship] talk held at the Barcelona pavilion at the FIL and led by the fifth Deputy Mayor, Raquel Gil. This talk presented Barcelona’s employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to young Mexican professionals and students, with contributions from Mexicans living in the city and the collaboration of TEC de Monterrey, one of Mexico’s most prestigious universities.

Finally, the mission concluded with official visits to Zapopan and to PLAi, the Government of Jalisco’s economic development agency. In Zapopan, the Barcelona authorities exchanged experiences in economic management, tourism and the promotion of entrepreneurship, while at PLAi, they explored innovation projects similar to those led by Barcelona Activa, opening the door to future collaborations.

A future of collaboration and growth

The FIL 2025 Mission has been successful in cementing Barcelona as a hub of global creativity and innovation. This initiative, combined with the cultural reach of the FIL, has strengthened economic and institutional ties with Mexico and has established a stable bridge for collaboration that will continue to grow. Barcelona returns from this mission with new projects, stronger relationships and an even closer connection to one of its most important international partners.