Dear colleagues,
It is an honour for me, along with Jorge Brotons, to recall the original idea behind the creation of Fruit Attraction.
They were difficult times. The global financial crisis had just started. In August 2007 Blackstone (the largest real estate fund) went bankrupt, followed by Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac. Today, Spain has not yet managed to get back to 2008’s levels of employment and income per capita.
In March 2007 Zapatero was re-elected and in October, Pedro Solbes assured us that the crisis would not affect Spain. This was the backdrop when Jorge and I decided to create this trade fair.
The first edition was a success due to the unconditional support from all the members of Fepex. It underscored the fact that, together, the roughest seas could be navigated.
Spain has some of the best professional producers and exporters in the world. Over the past 10 years, we have perfected, modernised, diversified. The European markets are fed by our many innovations and we have known how to win the favour of our European clientele. We are now going out to conquer new markets: the Middle East, Asia and China.
Our research is up there with the best in the world. How many people come to visit us to learn our technologies, ideas, varieties, growing methods? How many Spanish companies are exporting science and innovation all over the world?
Proof of this is the success obtained with Fruit Attraction. A true reflection of all the above and of the strength of our initiative.
We cannot, however, rest on our laurels.
We are at the start of a new era. Possibly over the next 10 years, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, etc., will lead us to horizons that are difficult to imagine. Competition is now worldwide.
Holland is a united country, backed by its authorities, its infrastructures, its commercial spirit, using a model for change. We are competing as equals and we continue to beat them. Using their own weapons.
Without any doubt, we are entering a different cycle. We have known how to triumph by transforming difficulties into successes over the past 10 years. We must keep up our spirit of fighting, entrepreneurship, industriousness and above all else, our human values of union, respect, loyalty, integrity and respect for nature.
These values have helped us to succeed in the past and without any doubt, they will help us during the next decade to once again become victorious. Let us bequeath a better world to our children.
José Gandía Giner
