The close ties Alicante maintains with Algeria as a result of its proximity and maritime links are causing the trade blockade, which resulted from the Spanish Government’s change of position on the Sahara, to have a significant economic impact. . And this companies in the state have already stopped exports of about 35m euros to the African countryfootwear, textiles and plastics are some of the most affected sectors. Thereupon, the employers raised their voices and demanded that the necessary diplomatic steps be taken from the central government. to put an end to a long-standing veto once and for all.
It was last June when Algeria suspended its business activities with Spain, except those related to gas, as a result of President Pedro Sánchez’s decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This event, which was thought to be a storm in a glass of water, has extended over time and no solution has been found so far. It accounts for half of Spain’s exports to the Maghreb country..
That is why Generalitat President Ximo Puig took advantage of his meeting with the European Commission Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell in Brussels this Monday to demand the signing of the trade agreement between the EU and Algeria. has been fulfilled. At the same meeting, Borrell himself announced that he would visit the country to contribute to this cause.
But while all this is happening, losses for companies in the province of Alicante are piling up. Exports decreased by 37% compared to 2019, the last year comparable under normal conditions, taking into account the outbreak of the pandemic. Products such as plastic materials and their manufacture rose from four million to just 700,000 euros, while shoes almost halved from five million. Something similar is happening with textiles, which fell to just four out of seven million.
And this, as it makes sense, is causing indignation in the business community. Salvador Navarro, head of the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV), recalls that many times a solution has been requested from the central government, most recently at a meeting with the Foreign Minister in December. Jobs, by José Manuel Albares. “He explains that steps must be taken to redirect the situation, because There are companies that have lost their market share to their competitors in other countries and it is very difficult to return.“. Navarro appreciates the EU’s involvement in the issue, but emphasizes that it is the Spanish Administration that should take the lead and thinks it “does nothing about it”.
Héctor Torrente, director of the Ibi and Foia de Castalla (Ibiae) Entrepreneurs Association, a region where most of the plastic companies in the province are concentrated, emphasizes that the problems with Algeria are “another obstacle in such a complex world”. context. Marian Cano, president of the Valencian Association of Shoe Entrepreneurs (Avecal), said:we can’t afford to lose any marketPepe Serna, President of the Valencia Community Textile Entrepreneurs Association (Ateval), demands “to restore commercial fluidity as soon as possible”, while demanding that “business be done more intensively through diplomatic channels”. “.
Real estate
The outbreak of the crisis with Algeria caused alarm in the real estate sector, considering that the citizens of the Maghreb country buy about a thousand houses in the province annually. However, the effect of the trade blockade was much less than expected. This was expressed by Marifé Esteso, president of the Alicante Association of Realtors, who noted: “The conflict did not receive the dreaded relevance after all, as it was almost imperceptible at the statistical level.”
Sea connection is provided with one ship per week.
Sea connection with Algiers from the Port of Alicante is provided by a single weekly ship, which is now more than enough due to the passenger shortage, according to Felipe López, chairman of the Alicante Chamber Navigation Commission. Another thing was what happened in the last Bosphorus Crossing operation in midsummer; there was only one ship at the time, the line had been reinforced by three or four ships in previous summers. On the other hand, goods traffic with the North African country continues to be virtually paralyzed due to the trade blockade.
Source: Informacion
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