Manuel Contreras Ramos, honorary president of Grupo Azvi, receives the highest distinction from the Chamber of Spain
The president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet, has awarded Manuel Contreras Ramos, honorary president of Grupo Azvi, with the Encomienda de la Orden de la Cámara de España, the highest distinction granted by this institution in recognition of his contribution to economic growth and his entrepreneurial work.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Juan Manuel Moreno, as well as by the Regional Minister of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Rogelio Velasco; the Mayor of Seville, Juan Espadas; the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Seville, Francisco Herrero and the Secretary General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Adolfo Díaz-Ambrona.
Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain have congratulated Manuel Contreras Ramos through a message recognizing his “work at the head of Azvi for almost six decades in which, with humility, tenacity, honesty and loyalty, you have transformed the small family business that you received into the largest construction company in Andalusia”.
The president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet, has highlighted Contreras’ personal values, as well as his “drive and leadership”, as an entrepreneur who makes companies play a “fundamental role, both economically and socially”. For the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Contreras is “an example of the enormous potential of family companies; unbeatable when a leader with exceptional values coincides with the support of a cohesive family and the work of a quasi-family: the professional team of the company”.
For his part, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Seville, Francisco Herrero, highlighted the value of an “event where a prestigious institution such as the Chamber of Spain, emphasizes and recognizes an exemplary businessman, awarding him its highest distinction” which is equivalent to “telling the story of unique lives, of stories of overcoming and work”. Herrero has also emphasized that the Chamber of Commerce of Seville and the Ibero-American Association of Chambers of Commerce that he presides, “see with special joy and satisfaction the concession of the Encomienda to Manuel Contreras Ramos, exemplary businessman, honorary president of Azvi and one of our most distinguished and beloved partners in the chamber tasks”.
During his speech of gratitude, Manuel Contreras Ramos has pointed out the need to value the figure of the businessman “so reviled nowadays in many circles” and who “fights to carry out our business projects, to create employment and wealth that benefits society, sacrificing in some cases our private lives and our resources“. For this reason, Contreras has described as “fundamental to count on the support of institutions such as the Chambers of Commerce. Thanks to them, companies have one of the best defenders of our interests. The work carried out by the chamber network is great and its commitment with the productive fabric of the country is great. And today, more than ever, I believe that the role played by the chamber associations is very necessary”.
The honorary president of Grupo Azvi concluded by reminding that “between all of us, the public sector, the chambers of commerce themselves, the companies and, of course, the civil society, we have the obligation to join our efforts to overcome the crisis that has caused us the pandemic of Covid-19“.
From the Junta de Andalucía, its president, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, has congratulated the awarded thanking him for his work and “generation of employment, future, and progress” for Andalusia. “Today we Andalusians owe you a lot, and for this reason, on behalf of all of them, I thank you and your family”, concluded Moreno, highlighting “Azvi as one of the most important companies in Spain”.
In addition, the Mayor of the city, Juan Espadas, recalled that “Seville has recognized the personal and professional career of Manuel Contreras this year with the delivery of the medal of the city”, adding that “this new distinction received from the Chamber of Spain reflects the importance of a person who has managed with his effort and work to consolidate the largest construction company of Andalusian capital with international projection, with strategic infrastructures for Spain and a permanent commitment to Seville and Andalusia”.
For his part, the Councilor of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities, Rogelio Velasco, has coincided in valuing the successful professional career of Manuel Contreras, and his contribution to the economic and business life at national and international level, with dedication, perseverance and effort. Velasco has also pointed out that “it is a pride to have in Andalusia firms like this one, which with 120 years of history continues focused on improving, creating wealth and employment, and ambitious new projects” and that for this reason his department “puts all the mechanisms within reach to favor and facilitate the business activity”.
The Commendation of the Order of the Chamber of Spain is the highest award granted by the institution in recognition of individuals or legal entities of great relevance in the Spanish or international economic, political or business life, whose services are considered extraordinary or of undoubted merit. The Commendation that has been awarded to Manuel Contreras Ramos, is the second one granted since the creation of the Chamber of Spain in 2014.