THE RETAIL SECTOR CALLS FOR EXTENDING THE EXPORT BOOM TO THE DOMESTIC MARKET AND STRENGTHENING MSMEs (4/10/26)
Mexico’s business sector is calling for stronger links between export growth and domestic supply chains to ensure that increased international trade generates wider benefits for local businesses, employment and investment. The Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur) is urging greater participation by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in supplying goods and services to export-oriented companies.
According to figures from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), exports reached US$78.01 billion in August, with the reported annual growth rate standing at 40.4% through August. Non-oil exports were a key driver, supported by demand from the United States, Mexico’s principal trading partner, while shipments to other international markets also recorded growth.
Concanaco president Octavio de la Torre emphasised that stronger export performance will not automatically translate into broader domestic economic gains unless smaller businesses can access supply-chain opportunities. The organisation has proposed a four-pillar agenda covering commercial partnerships, business development, financing, and regulatory simplification and legal certainty.
Planned measures include direct supplier-matching events designed to connect local producers with companies serving international markets. The initiative aims to help smaller businesses improve productivity, secure contracts and expand their role in domestic manufacturing and distribution networks.
For businesses and investors, the proposal highlights an opportunity to deepen local sourcing in Mexico as export activity expands. However, access to financing, supplier readiness and the ability to meet international quality and delivery standards will remain important factors in determining how effectively smaller enterprises participate in export-led growth.
The retail sector calls for extending the export boom to the domestic market and strengthening MSMEs
BRE-B OUTPERFORMS PIX IN TERMS OF ADOPTION RATE IN ITS FIRST YEAR ACCORDING TO EBANX (7/10/26)
Colombia’s instant payment system, Bre-B, has achieved faster adoption than Brazil’s Pix during its first year of operation, according to an analysis by payments company EBANX. Bre-B has registered payment keys equivalent to 83% of Colombia’s adult population, compared with Pix’s 65% penetration after its first year. The Colombian system now has 36 million active users and processes more than eight million transactions daily, while the cumulative value of transactions has approached US$80 billion.
Bre-B’s rapid growth has been supported by interoperability requirements for participating financial institutions, allowing users to transfer money between different providers. The system also presents opportunities for e-commerce businesses seeking to reach consumers who lack access to credit cards, which are held by just 24% of Colombian adults, according to figures cited by EBANX. During an initial rollout involving 5% of the company’s customers, participating merchants recorded a 5% increase in revenue, an additional US$300,000 in payment volume over three weeks and an improvement in checkout conversion from 20% to 50%.
The expansion of instant payments could strengthen Colombia’s digital commerce market by providing international merchants with access to a wider customer base and an alternative to card payments. EBANX has partnered with Colombian fintech MOVii to facilitate international merchant access to Bre-B, including refund management and settlements in US dollars, euros and pounds sterling without requiring merchants to establish a local entity. The development highlights the growing importance of interoperable payment infrastructure in reducing barriers to cross-border e-commerce across Latin America.
Bre-B outperforms Pix in terms of adoption rate in its first year, according to EBANX
CLOTHING, RESTAURANTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: THE CATEGORIES IN WHICH ARGENTINA IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE REGIONAL AVERAGE. (10/10/26)
Argentina remains comparatively expensive in several consumer categories despite an overall price level slightly below the Latin American average, according to Fundar’s monthly relative price index, which compares prices across countries using US dollars.
The report identifies clothing and restaurants as the region’s most expensive categories in Argentina, with communications, recreation and household equipment also priced above the regional average. These differences place pressure on household spending and may influence consumer purchasing decisions, while higher restaurant prices could reduce some of the country’s cost advantage for international tourists.
However, the overall picture is more mixed. Using the official exchange rate, Argentina’s general price level was reported to be 1.7% below the Latin American average. Prices have nevertheless risen 2.3% in dollar terms since President Javier Milei took office and 74.4% compared with January 2021, according to Fundar’s measurements cited in the report.
Transport prices remain broadly in line with the regional average, while food, education, housing and utilities, alcohol and tobacco, and healthcare are relatively cheaper than the Latin American benchmark. The findings underline significant differences across consumption categories rather than a uniformly high cost of living.
For businesses, retailers and investors, the data highlight contrasting conditions across Argentina’s consumer markets. Elevated prices in clothing, dining and communications may affect demand and purchasing patterns, while comparatively lower prices in other sectors could offer different opportunities for domestic consumption and tourism.
CHINA OPENS THE DOOR TO VISA AFTER AN EIGHT-YEAR WAIT TO ENTER THE DOMESTIC CARD MARKET (13/10/26)
China has granted Visa preliminary approval to prepare for establishing a domestic bank card clearing operation, marking a significant step towards expanding the US payments company’s presence in the Chinese market. The decision follows nearly eight years of waiting since Visa first applied in November 2018, but does not yet authorise the company to process domestic transactions in yuan.
Visa’s Chinese subsidiary, Visa Information Technology (Beijing), has up to 12 months to prepare the necessary infrastructure and meet operational and regulatory requirements. The company must then secure final approval from both the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration before it can begin clearing domestic card payments issued by Chinese banks.
The move forms part of China’s gradual opening of its bank card clearing sector to international operators, historically dominated by domestic network UnionPay. American Express received approval to operate in 2020, while Mastercard obtained its final licence in November 2023 and began processing domestic payments in May 2024 through its local joint venture with NetsUnion.
If final authorisation is granted, Visa could work more directly with Chinese banks on card issuance and domestic payment processing, expanding its role beyond international transactions. The development could also give financial institutions and merchants additional options for payment services, although the timing and commercial impact will depend on the outcome of the remaining regulatory process.
For the wider payments industry, the decision signals further scope for international participation in China’s financial infrastructure, while underscoring the lengthy approval processes and operational requirements involved in entering the domestic market.
China Opens the Door to Visa After an Eight-Year Wait to Enter the Domestic Card Market
CROSS-BORDER E-COMMERCE: UNLOCKING BUSINESSES` DIGITAL CAPABILITIES (19/10/26)
Vietnam is stepping up efforts to help domestic businesses reach international consumers through cross-border e-commerce, with the Vietnam E-Commerce Association (VECOM) and Amazon launching a new programme on the 19th of October aimed at developing digital export capabilities among young entrepreneurs.
Despite the country’s expanding manufacturing base, competitive e-commerce sector and network of 18 free trade agreements, cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reportedly account for just 0.5% of Vietnam’s total trade volume, highlighting considerable room for growth. The initiative seeks to help businesses overcome barriers related to logistics, customs procedures, international payments, product certification and brand development.
The programme will provide practical support in market research, digital marketing, branding, logistics and technology-enabled business management. Particular opportunities exist for agricultural products, processed foods, handicrafts, textiles, leather goods and regional specialties, as changing consumer habits increasingly favour online content, livestream shopping and direct engagement with brands.
The initiative aligns with Vietnam’s broader 2026–2030 international expansion strategy, which aims to support at least 100 businesses in establishing effective operations through domestic and international cross-border e-commerce platforms by 2030. Amazon also reports having supported thousands of Vietnamese businesses with digital export training, helping companies move beyond traditional business-to-business exports towards building their own brands and reaching consumers directly.
For businesses and trade partners, the development signals Vietnam’s ambition to diversify export channels and strengthen the international reach of its domestic producers. However, sustained growth will depend on more than access to online marketplaces: reliable product quality, competitive shipping costs, regulatory compliance, effective fulfilment and a clear brand strategy will remain essential to converting digital visibility into long-term export revenue.
Cross-Border E-Commerce: Unlocking Businesses’ Digital Capabilities.
SPANISH SHOPIFY RETAILERS WILL BE ABLE TO MANAGE THEIR SHIPMENTS VIA DHL EXPRESS (21/10/26)
DHL Express has made its shipping services available directly through Shopify to merchants in Spain, enabling them to manage domestic and international deliveries from the platform. The integration allows businesses to generate shipping labels, validate addresses and track shipments within their existing workflows.
Launched ahead of the peak trading season, the expansion is part of a wider rollout across Germany, the UK, France and Italy, while DHL eCommerce services are being introduced in Poland and the Netherlands. The integration is designed to help merchants manage increased order volumes more efficiently during periods of high demand.
Shopify merchants can also access negotiated DHL shipping rates without requiring a separate account or contract. The services are available across Shopify plans without the need for an additional app or a specific monthly subscription, potentially reducing administrative barriers for businesses handling cross-border orders.
Spanish Shopify retailers will be able to manage their shipments via DHL Express
ALICANTE SUSPENDS THE ‘BONO COMERCIO’ SCHEME FOLLOWING AN INTERNATIONAL CYBERSECURITY ALERT (23/10/26)
Alicante City Council and the Chamber of Commerce have postponed the 2026 Bono Comercio retail voucher campaign following an international cybersecurity alert that prompted the temporary shutdown of the scheme’s website and platform. The decision, announced on the 23rd of October, followed the detection of two critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a widely used web technology. Officials stressed that the issue originated outside the Bono Comercio website itself and that the platform would remain offline until security safeguards were in place.
The suspension also affects the Bono Sénior scheme for residents aged 65 and over, with in-person voucher sales originally scheduled for 26–30 October postponed indefinitely. The wider programme has a budget of almost €4 million and is designed to support household purchasing power while encouraging spending at local retailers. Eligible consumers can purchase vouchers worth up to €400 by paying half their value, with the remainder covered by the scheme. Separate categories are available for seniors, people under 30 and other eligible residents.
The delay creates uncertainty for participating retailers that had anticipated additional sales during the campaign. Both institutions are working to restore the platform, but no revised launch date has been announced. The disruption highlights the potential impact of cybersecurity incidents on public-sector initiatives and local commerce, particularly when digital infrastructure supports programmes designed to stimulate consumer spending. Businesses and consumers have been advised to monitor official announcements for updates to the campaign timetable.
Alicante suspends the ‘Bono Comercio’ scheme following an international cybersecurity alert
ELECTRIFIED PORTS FOR GLOBAL TRADE (25/10/26)
Spain’s major ports are accelerating investment in electrification, automation and logistics infrastructure to handle growing global shipping volumes, accommodate ever-larger container vessels and remain competitive amid geopolitical uncertainty and tightening EU climate regulations.
The Port of Valencia is developing onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure, enabling ships to switch off their auxiliary engines while berthed and reduce emissions. Its existing solar installations currently cover 12–15% of the port’s electricity consumption, while new electrical substations are planned for 2026 and 2028. The Valencia Port Authority aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035. Under EU requirements, 90% of relevant vessel calls at EU ports must be covered by shore-side electricity supply from the 1st of January 2030.
Competition is intensifying across the Mediterranean. The Port of Algeciras, strategically located at the Strait of Gibraltar, is expanding its container-handling capacity and developing a green energy hub focused on alternative fuels, including green hydrogen, ammonia, biodiesel and methanol. Its main competitor, Morocco’s Tanger Med, handled more than 11 million TEU in 2025, compared with nearly five million at Algeciras. Valencia, Spain’s leading port by cargo throughput, handled more than 5.6 million TEU in the same year.
Spain’s 46 ports of general interest handled 556.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, a 0.3% year-on-year decline. However, volumes recovered during the first eight months of 2026, rising 1.2% compared with the same period a year earlier. Spain ranks first in the EU for maritime connectivity and eighth globally, although only Barcelona, Valencia, Algeciras and Las Palmas can accommodate the largest vessels, with capacities of up to 24,000 TEU.
Automation and rail connectivity are becoming critical competitive advantages. Valencia is building a new container terminal with an additional capacity of five million TEU, while Algeciras is expanding its terminal facilities. Barcelona is concentrating container traffic in the southern part of its port, where the Hutchison Ports BEST terminal can handle several ultra-large container ships simultaneously. Its eight railway tracks provide substantial intermodal capacity, but further connections to the national rail network are needed.
Industry experts argue that Spain must improve rail freight corridors, port access and inland intermodal terminals to extend port hinterlands and attract higher-value cargo. They also stress that resilience, supply-chain diversification and security have become as important as cost and efficiency, following disruptions affecting the Red Sea, Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz.
EU climate policy presents a further challenge. Under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), ships calling at EU ports face carbon-emissions costs that do not apply in the same way at neighbouring non-EU ports such as Tanger Med. Spanish port authorities warn that this regulatory imbalance risks diverting container traffic and investment outside the EU. Of the €14.9 billion in port projects planned across the region between 2021 and 2030, €9.3 billion is expected to be concentrated in non-EU ports, according to the study cited in the report.
The strategic priority for Spain is therefore clear: combine decarbonisation and automation with stronger rail links, coordinated port planning and a more resilient national logistics network to protect its position in an increasingly concentrated and competitive global shipping market.
Electrified ports for global trade
THE 2026 WORLD INVESTMENT FORUM OPENS IN QATAR (25/10/26)
The ninth UN World Investment Forum opened in Doha, Qatar, on the 25th of October 2026, bringing together more than 5,000 participants, including government leaders, investors, business executives and international organisations, to discuss how investment can be directed towards economies and sectors most in need of capital.
Organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) under the theme “Investing in the Future”, the forum takes place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and the restructuring of global value chains. Discussions focus on strengthening international investment cooperation and ensuring that capital delivers tangible development benefits.
Investment remains highly concentrated. UNCTAD’s latest Global Investment Trends Monitor, released alongside the forum, reports that the value of international investment increased in the first half of 2026, supported by major transactions in strategic sectors. However, new investment projects and cross-border transactions continued to decline globally. In developing countries, investment in critical sectors—including infrastructure, energy, healthcare and food systems—fell by more than 25%. UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026 also indicates that more than 80% of global foreign direct investment (FDI) went to just 20 economies in 2025.
The three-day programme features more than 80 sessions and over 400 speakers covering investment policy, artificial intelligence, sustainable finance, climate, tourism, entrepreneurship and special economic zones. Ministerial meetings will address investment policy and entrepreneurship, while regional investment reports will examine opportunities and trends in the Caribbean, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Emerging sectors are a key focus. For the first time, artificial intelligence has its own dedicated programme, reflecting the growing importance of AI infrastructure as a destination for strategic investment. Discussions will examine how developing economies can participate in this expansion. Other sessions will explore investment in post-conflict recovery, the space industry, and arts and culture.
Organised by UNCTAD since 2008, the World Investment Forum provides a platform for governments, investors and business leaders to shape investment policies, establish partnerships and identify opportunities for sustainable economic development.
The 2026 World Investment Forum opens in Qatar
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DRIVES GLOBAL TRADE TO A NEW RECORD HIGH, OVERCOMING THE IMPACT OF TARRIFS AND CONFLICT (27/10/26)
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of international trade, with demand for the technology’s essential infrastructure helping global commerce reach new heights despite geopolitical tensions and rising tariffs. According to the latest DHL Globalisation Tracker, published by DHL and New York University’s Stern School of Business, globalisation reached a record 25.8% in 2025, while trade in goods recorded its fastest growth in 15 years during the first half of 2026, excluding the post-pandemic rebound.
The race to build AI infrastructure is proving a powerful catalyst for cross-border trade. Semiconductors, networking equipment and other technology components accounted for 76% of merchandise trade growth in the first quarter of 2026, underlining the growing importance of technology-driven supply chains. DHL forecasts that global trade in goods will grow by an average of 3.4% annually through to 2029, an improvement on the 2.7% average recorded over the previous decade. As businesses accelerate investment in AI, reliable logistics networks are becoming increasingly vital to moving critical components across international markets.
This growth comes despite significant geopolitical headwinds, including higher US tariffs and disruption linked to the conflict involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. However, the report suggests that the overall impact has been more contained than anticipated, with the sharpest effects concentrated in economies heavily reliant on affected trade routes. Meanwhile, companies and governments are exploring alternative markets and trade partnerships rather than retreating from international commerce altogether. The findings also challenge the idea of a complete economic split between the US and China, as indirect supply-chain links remain important despite declining direct bilateral trade.
Regionally, East Asia and the Pacific is leading the expansion, with trade values rising by 24% in the first five months of 2026, ahead of Europe at 12% and sub-Saharan Africa at 11%. The region is also strengthening its internal supply chains, with intra-regional trade increasing from 57% to 60%. The broader message for international businesses is clear: globalisation is evolving rather than retreating. As AI investment creates new trade flows and geopolitical uncertainty persists, companies that build resilient, flexible supply chains will be better positioned to capture opportunities in an increasingly connected global economy.
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In Madrid, 31 October 2026
Intrenational Trade and Sanctions Department
Lupicinio International Law Firm
