Events on a global scale are not only a means of attracting tourists but also an opportunity of showing Spain to the world.

This was the philosophy of the Spanish Government, which channelled major resources into the Seville Expo-92,and is now doing the same for the forthcoming International Exposition Zaragoza 2008.

The Olympic Games staged in Barcelona were Spain’s first international event. Almost 15 years have passed since then, but looking back they offered a unique opportunity for Spain, which played a special role on the international stage, and which was able to demonstrate its efficiency and management capacity. Madrid is now hoping to organise the 2016 Olympic Games.

Equally important is the fact that, after a Swiss team won the Americas Cup in 2003,Valencia was chosen to host the next round in 2007, when the Cup had not been staged in Europe for 152 years.

Spain is a country which is beginning to come into its own as a suitable setting for many events on an international scale. In May 2008, the Asian Development Bank, one of the most important financing institutions in view of the hefty economic growth in its sphere of activity, will be holding its annual meeting in Madrid.

We must also draw attention to the role played by bodies such as the Sociedad Estatal para las Exposiciones Internacionales (State International Exhibition Organisation, SEEI),which will be responsible for designing and managing the Spanish Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.