ICEX Microelectronics Reverse Mission 2026: Opportunity for ICT Companies in Catalonia and the Canary Islands

Key data

Spanish companies in microelectronics, ICT and telecommunications have a direct internationalisation opportunity: ICEX España and AMETIC have signed an agreement to organise a reverse mission of international opinion leaders with visits to Catalonia and the Canary Islands. The resolution publishing this agreement was published in the BOE on 24 March 2026 with reference BOE-A-2026-6863.

Unlike outbound trade missions, in a reverse mission it is the foreign buyers, journalists and experts who travel to Spain. The result for participating companies is the same: direct contact with international decision-makers, but without the costs and logistics of travelling abroad.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution publishes the agreement signed between ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones and AMETIC (Asociación Multisectorial de Empresas de la Electrónica, las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación, de las Telecomunicaciones y de los Contenidos Digitales) to jointly organise a reverse mission targeting the microelectronics sector.

The key elements of the agreement are as follows:

The microelectronics sector is considered strategic for Spain's industrial and digital competitiveness. This type of initiative forms part of the business internationalisation policy that ICEX develops in collaboration with sector associations to facilitate Spanish companies' access to international markets.

Economic and operational impact

For companies in the sector, the impact of this initiative is primarily an international business opportunity at reduced cost. As a reverse mission, the company does not bear the costs of travelling abroad: it is the international experts and decision-makers who travel to visit Spanish facilities and capabilities.

The specific operational advantages for participating companies are:

• Generation of direct contacts with international decision-makers and opinion leaders in the microelectronics sector.
• Improved international visibility with the institutional backing of ICEX, which lends credibility with foreign visitors.
• Access to new markets without the need to invest in travel or participation in international trade fairs.
• Positioning as a reference company in the Spanish microelectronics sector among international buyers and specialist media.

The collaboration with AMETIC as a sector intermediary ensures that companies in the ICT, telecommunications and digital content ecosystem can benefit from this action, not only companies that are strictly manufacturers of microelectronic components.

Who is affected?

This initiative directly affects companies operating in the following sectors:

• Companies in the microelectronics sector with activity in Spain, especially in Catalonia and the Canary Islands.
• Companies in the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) sector.
• Companies in telecommunications.
• Companies in digital content.
• Companies associated with AMETIC or that can join through this association.

It may also be relevant for executives and international business development managers at these companies, as well as advisors working with clients in the technology sector who are seeking internationalisation opportunities with institutional support.

Practical example

A Spanish semiconductor manufacturer based in Catalonia that has so far limited its commercial activity to the European market can take advantage of this reverse mission to present its production capabilities directly to buyers and opinion leaders from markets such as Asia, North America or the Middle East, without the need to travel.

The process would be as follows: the company contacts AMETIC to request inclusion in the mission's visit programme. During the mission, international experts visit its facilities in Catalonia. The direct result is the generation of qualified contacts with international decision-makers who, backed by the institutional credibility of ICEX, may lead to commercial agreements, technological collaborations or coverage in international specialist media.

The same approach applies to a telecommunications or digital content company with a presence in the Canary Islands that wishes to establish itself as a benchmark in its niche in the international market.

What should companies do now?

1. Check whether your company fits the profile: Verify whether your activity falls within microelectronics, ICT, telecommunications or digital content. These are the companies that can benefit from the reverse mission organised by ICEX and AMETIC.
2. Contact AMETIC: AMETIC is the sector intermediary for the agreement. If your company is not a member, consider whether joining would give you access to this and other export promotion actions organised with ICEX.
3. Contact ICEX directly: ICEX manages the organisation of the mission. Consult the relevant ICEX office to find out about participation requirements, deadlines and the selection process for visited companies.
4. Prepare presentation materials in English: Reverse missions involve receiving international experts. Make sure you have up-to-date technical and commercial documentation in English that reflects your company's capabilities.
5. Assess your presence in Catalonia or the Canary Islands: The mission takes place in these two territories. If your company has facilities or relevant activity in either of them, now is the time to showcase them to international visitors.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-6863