In the first half of the year, the economy of Alicante province continued the expanding cycle that had accompanied it since it started emerging from the worst of the epidemic. And during this time of the year, 1,840 new companies were incorporated into the productive structure, resulting in 26,080 jobs being created. In a scenario where agriculture was the only activity that decreased in the number of companies, the services and construction sectors were the strongest pullers; this has a lot to do with the decline in most crops. However, experts Be warned that this positive dynamic is starting to show signs of exhaustionand its durability over time will depend on companies’ ability to adapt their business models to new customer demands.
The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy show that: Compared to the 59,998 companies calculated at the end of 2022, the number of companies registered to Social Security in the province is 61,838 as of 31 June. The sector that brings together the most companies is the services sector with 46,798 with an increase of 1,436. . This is followed by construction with 7 thousand 67 companies with an increase of 291 companies. Industry, on the other hand, offers similar figures as it reaches 5,999 companies with a slight increase of 61. Agriculture is the only sector experiencing decline. 1.974 remained after a 52-point decrease.
On employment, The group of companies in the province had 541,036 employees at the end of the period, compared to 514,956 employees at the end of last year.. Here, too, the services sector took the lead with 406,912 employees with an increase of 22,188, followed by industry with 83,191 employees with an increase of 3,214. While 37,629 workers with 1,918 workers were employed in construction, 13,304 workers remained after the loss of 1,240 workers in parallel with the decrease in the number of companies in agriculture.
Compared to the first half of last year, the figures are also positive.. Thus, the state now has 720 companies and 19,177 more jobs than then. Services, specifically a total of 427 companies and 16,856 workers, while construction 266 and 2,009 respectively. Industry, on the other hand, gained 34 companies and lost 54 employees, while agriculture lost 7 companies and 366 workers.
The recovery in the services sector is closely linked to the extraordinary tourism campaignHotel management Hosbec was tasked by its president, Fede Fuster, to highlight the high occupancy figures that have been sustained since the start of the summer season.
However, construction is also going through a period of intense activity.. Jesualdo Ros, general secretary of the Real Estate Developers Association of the State of Alicante (Provia), noted that the demand for both second-residential homes and residential tourism is high, while rehabilitation works as well, to a lesser extent, a public works measure. And he emphasizes that this attracts not only his own industry, but also the service sector, emphasizing that “If there is an activity, there is a drag effect of architects, surveyors, engineers and suppliers of all kinds.” products from air conditioners to household appliances including furniture and home textiles.
Regarding the decline in agriculture, bad harvests play a part. Air pollution that has accumulated due to problems such as high temperatures or other meteorological phenomena.
The industry has a more stable behavior for its partamong other reasons, because the establishment of such a company requires greater investment.
What do the experts think about the positive development of both starting a company and employment? Paloma Taltavull, professor in the Department of Applied Economic Analysis at the University of Alicante (UA), does not hesitate to point out: The cycle of economic expansion that started with the end of the health crisis continues today.It highlights the state’s strength despite the war in Ukraine and rising prices and bank interest rates.
But this cycle is starting to show some signs of fatigue, according to José María Gómez Gras, professor of Business Organization at Miguel Hernández University (UMH). whether companies can adapt their business to meet people’s changing tastes.”
Although company establishment in Alicante province showed a remarkable improvement in the first half of the year, capital increases fell by 19.8% compared to the same period of the previous year. It signals the end of the current broad economic cycle.
According to figures from the Axesor business radar, this contrasts with data showing a 6.5% capital increase recorded at the national level. There was also a decrease in the Valencian Community as a whole, but only 0.5%. mv