The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Madrid (PTIC-Madrid), led by Commercial Counsellor Althea Karen P. Antonio, together with the Philippine Embassy in Spain represented by Consul Dyan Kristine Miranda Pastrana, met with officials of Spain’s innovation agency, the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (CDTI), on April 28, 2026.

The discussions focused on possible collaboration in research and development (R&D), digitalization, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and support for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The engagement forms part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s broader push to strengthen the Philippines’ innovation ecosystem through capacity building, technology transfer, and greater international collaboration in science and innovation.

The meeting also reflects efforts by Manila and Madrid to broaden economic cooperation at a time when analysts say Philippines-Spain economic relations remain relatively underdeveloped compared with the depth of their shared history spanning more than three centuries.

While diplomatic ties between the two countries remain warm and stable, bilateral trade has historically been modest, hovering at around US$590 million to US$650 million in previous years, with Spain ranking only around 26th among destinations for Philippine exports.

In recent years, however, both governments and business groups have intensified efforts to expand cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), tourism, infrastructure, clean energy, agribusiness, and SME development.

In 2024, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Spain Chamber of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration in manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, ICT, human resources, and training.

Spain has also supported Philippine development initiatives through concessional financing and technical cooperation, including a €300 million facility for infrastructure, agri-food, and tourism projects.

The latest engagement is particularly significant as Madrid increasingly positions itself as one of Europe’s leading innovation and startup hubs.

Spain has emerged as a strong performer in global innovation rankings, particularly in research and scientific output, while Madrid has grown into the country’s leading center for startups and high-technology enterprises.

Recent innovation analyses showed Madrid overtaking Barcelona in several technology and startup indicators, including the number of tech firms, startups, and scaleups.

The Spanish capital hosts roughly 30 percent of the country’s startups and accounts for nearly a third of Spain’s startup investment volume. It also channels around 36 percent of total corporate investment in innovation nationwide.

Madrid has likewise developed strengths in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and renewable technologies, supported by a highly educated workforce and strong R&D institutions.

For the Philippines, deeper engagement with Spain’s innovation ecosystem could open opportunities for Filipino startups, researchers, and SMEs to access technology, expertise, and potential investments, while also positioning the country as a gateway to the broader ASEAN market for Spanish companies.

Officials said the discussions with CDTI underscore the two countries’ “shared commitment to advancing innovation, trade, and investment,” signaling a possible shift toward a more technology-driven phase in Philippines-Spain relations.