[Interview] Pablo Sánchez, Managing Director, SANBEX, Spain
Pablo Sánchez is MD of SANBEX, a Spanish firm involved in the development of business opportunities in the African and Latin American markets.
His interview with Africa Business Communities:
Would you please introduce SANBEX?
SANBEX is a Spanish firm specialized in the promotion and development of projects in emerging countries in order to optimize its productive and social system. We focus on identifying, promoting and developing business opportunities in markets with high growth potential, mainly in Africa and Latin America, as well as performing supply goods operations.
From the very beginning, SANBEX develops its activities mainly in Equatorial Guinea, where the firm operates directly, with its own network of partners in other West & Central Africa countries and Latin America, which allows us to offer our clients specialized solutions with the great advantage of having local expertise in these markets.
In which industries does SANBEX operate and who are your clients?
SANBEX's mission and objective is to contribute to the economic and social development of emerging countries, generating employment, profits, growth and building a society governed by the values of excellence, integrity, loyalty, leadership and innovation, having a wide range of business industries. We are involved in the agribusiness sector, waste management, fuel distribution and water treatment, among others.
Why did you start SANBEX?
SANBEX started its activities with Africa due to the founder’s links with Equatorial Guinea since this country was a former colony of Spain, being right now the only Spanish speaking country in Africa. Our mission is to collaborate with and assist to the growth of the countries where we operate, and the clients we serve. Our philosophy is focused on seeking a balance between obtaining profitability and contributing to the social and economic development of emerging countries. In this manner, they can generate their own resources and income, without depending on support from external sources.
What did you do before your directorship of SANBEX?
I started working as a foreign business lawyer in New York, being involved in international commercial transactions between the United States and other European and Latin American countries. I have worked in the private banking sector, at the wealth management division and I have continued the rest of my career in the international business field, with a focus on West Africa. Based in Madrid but used to spend long periods of time in Equatorial Guinea, I am able to work on cross border transactions and development projects, including the promotion and management of public and private projects at different stages and completing the required supply operations.
What can be done by the government to stimulate the business environment in Spain?
Due to the fact that the foreign activity of Spanish companies has been in the past years the engine of our economy, the Spanish government should do its best to improve the current operating environment for these companies. The government should facilitate the development of their international activities as companies that operate outside the European Union often face more complications and risks than those that only operate on a national level.
What is most remarkable about doing business in/with Africa?
Africa is a very diverse continent with huge potential and enormous possibilities to contribute to its development. The African countries are open to companies and investors from all the world who wish to collaborate with them in their development, but an essential aspect is that a company wishing to embark on this continent has to acknowledge clearly that it will have to adapt to its rhythm and customs. It is not possible or advisable to try to impose their business practices as if they were in their own country. From my experience, all sectors are open to new ideas and proposals for cooperation.
What can you say about the targets, plans and ambitions of SANBEX for the rest of 2015?
Since we believe there is still potential in West Africa in the future, we keep focused on Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Cameroon. That is why SANBEX is using its best efforts to increase our activities in this area.
Do you believe Social Media and the Internet to be a plus to the business environment, as it applies to your industry?
Both are very useful tools in our market, especially to be informed about news, transactions, trade fairs, seminars, etc. It is also useful for positioning purposes within internet browser and to reach a wider audience of potential clients and suppliers.
What expectations do you have for the Spanish’s economy in the second half of 2015?
I am confident that the Spanish economy will finish this year with a higher growth rate than Italy, France or Germany. We must nevertheless remain cautions and keep working hard to ensure this happens.
Which African countries will perform best in 2015?
Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Cameroon because of their strategic situation in Africa, as well as the improvements that they are making for foreign investments and the main development of its infrastructures to seek investment.
Africa Business Communities is conducting a series of interviews with CEO's and high-end professionals from Spain and Africa. Are you interested in an interview? Please send an e-mail to Andrea Ayemoba: andrea@africabusinesscommunities.com