Barcelona, March 27, 2026 – On Tuesday, March 24, representatives from the following entities: the Official College of Commercial Agents of Barcelona (COACB), Consell de Gremis, Barcelona Comerç, Comertia, Barcelona Oberta, Retailers’ Associations, the Restaurant Guild, the Hotel Guild, UPM, Cecot and Foment del Treball, met with Minister Samper and the team from the Ministry to present and prepare a National Pact or Agreement for Trade and Hospitality. 

The entities submitted the petition on behalf of the 78 signatory organizations (as well as others that are currently joining and not yet listed), highlighting that this is the first time such a large number of entities have come together to work jointly towards a common goal, identifying key areas to ensure the future of the sector. A sector that represents more than 20% of Catalonia’s GDP and 19.5% of employment. 

The main areas addressed as working priorities include: the role of trade as a driver of social cohesion; the promotion of employment and sector-specific job channels; enhancing the prestige and professionalization of both entities and the sector; vocational training and skills accreditation; digital transformation (operations, platforms and AI); promoting Catalan as the sector’s working language; and supporting Barcelona’s status as European Capital of Commerce. 

Both the Administration and the entities agreed on the importance of the Agreement and the need to activate it, with the Minister committing that “it will be carried out.” Furthermore, all participating entities agreed that “the key lies in involving the sector itself, working together with the entities that have joined forces to promote a consensus-based Pact, open to all entities willing to participate, and based not on imposed measures but on those identified as necessary by the sector.”  

The COACB has been one of the driving entities behind this initiative, and its president, Ricard Penas, stated:“An Agreement like this is essential for the trade sector. COACB is celebrating 100 years of supporting trade, but the challenges we face now and those ahead are significant. If we do not address them together as a sector, with vision and the right tools, it will be difficult for any entity to even reach another 50 years. Our model of trade is also a model of society, employment, economic activity, and social cohesion; if we do not actively work to strengthen and preserve this model, the social system itself will change.” 

About the Manifesto: 

The manifesto is a joint initiative of the entities that subscribe to it. The full text and list of entities can be consulted at www.pactenacionalcomerc.com