INTERVIEW projections, and a domestic consumption capacity that has already helped them overcome previous crises. The current crisis is heightening geopolitical tensions. Could they affect that growth potential? It’s a region where there’s a clash between the direct Chinese influence and the more indirect influence of the USA through Japan and South Korea. Both powers invest money, and in general the countries try to maintain a balance between them. We’re hoping the threat in Taiwan, with the aggravating factor of the semiconductor shortage, won’t escalate. There are also internal factors such as the inflationary trend in countries with very disciplined budget and debt control, which could lead them to cut credit and reconsider their infra-structure investments. We’re also paying close attention to the sup-ply chain crisis. If all of these risks materialize together, it could affect regional growth. Are there sound long-term opportunities for sustainable business? In that regard, they’re starting out a step behind other regions, with some environmental problems like plastic, but we’re seeing a pos-itive trend towards policies, regulations, and investments in sus-tainability such as major renewable energy or water management projects. It’s a trend that’s taking root and is also being transmitted by foreign companies to local ones, for instance in the 100% green energy supplied to data centers that’s stimulating power genera-tion infrastructure. Public tenders are increasingly including more environmental assessment criteria, which gives a company like ours competitive advantages. This evolution is progressing in line with our corporate objectives. “POLICIES, REGULATIONS, AND COMPANIES REFLECT A TREND TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY THAT CAN GIVE US COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES”