Spain to Launch delinquency ‌Observatory for SME Protection

​ ⁣ ‍Updated June 02, 2025

The Spanish government will establish a “delinquency observatory” to monitor late‌ payment trends and implement measures to ‍ensure compliance, ⁢officials said Wednesday. ⁤The goal ‌is to protect small and‌ medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and prevent ⁢closures due to liquidity issues.

During a dialog on sustainability challenges for Spanish businesses, the Ministry ​of Industry ‍confirmed the observatory will not onyl monitor regulation compliance but also reward companies that‍ pay promptly. This dual‌ approach⁣ aims to address the critical issue of delinquency, which can lead to financial ​strain and insolvency for SMEs.

According to Vidal, delinquency poses a significant threat to Spanish companies. “Less delinquency allows you to⁣ charge ⁤in ​time and have more solid cash flows ⁤to be able to invest,” Vidal⁣ said, emphasizing the need ⁣for⁤ stronger European regulations.

The CEO of Adopta a‌ grandfather⁤ noted that their association faces similar challenges, ‍with 80% of‌ income requiring persistent follow-up for ​payment.

Participants⁤ in the dialogue also highlighted the vulnerability of many small businesses in Spain. Cominges stated that with ‍adequate support, “8 out ⁣of 10 ⁢get more endured in time and you‍ have more solid‌ results.”

The implementation ‌of enduring practices presents “great⁢ difficulty”​ for many ⁤companies ​due⁤ to⁤ a lack of guidance, ‌participants noted.⁣ Vidal pointed out that sustainability is⁢ often “more⁢ expensive,”⁣ underscoring the importance⁤ of public procurement that supports sustainable products to generate‍ economies of scale and reduce​ costs.

Vidal stressed the ⁣need for collaboration between administrations and businesses to navigate the challenges of international competition ‌and varying standards.

Garcia suggested that assistance should extend beyond financing ‌to include “mentoring and training,” highlighting available resources within industrial organizations.

The discussion ​also covered internationalization strategies, emphasizing the importance of⁣ understanding cultural patterns and market⁣ differences. Vidal noted⁢ that while⁢ exporting within Europe is often viewed as ‍operating within a single market, “What there is is a directive with a​ dreol of ⁣different norms.” He⁢ also pointed to commercial export credit as a crucial tool for companies expanding their operations.

Vidal added that Spain has frequently enough ⁢prioritized Latin america​ over closer markets like France or‍ Portugal‌ due to language, despite the logistical advantages ‌and similar standards offered by those European countries.

What’s next

The government plans to announce further details about the delinquency observatory and its ⁢specific measures in the coming weeks, signaling a proactive approach to⁢ supporting smes and fostering a more stable economic environment.