President of the Research Institute of the Province of Alicante (Ineca), Nacho AmirolaHe was very critical of the financial and labor measures included in the contract. investment agreement between PSOE and Add –these include: Reducing the working day to 37.5 hours– and warned about: It will hinder the competitiveness of the region’s products in international markets.
This was stated in response to journalists’ questions during his presentation. Status report This quarterly report prepared by the organization had already warned about the poor trend of foreign sales in the state throughout this year. Weight loss experienced by Alicante in all Spanish exports in the last decade. An issue that Ineca is concerned with the small size of most companies in the regionThis hinders their ability to afford the investments required to go abroad.
Thus, Amirola stated that Alicante passed represents 2.88% of all sales abroad In 2000, the share of Spanish companies fell to just 1.82% last year. This figure has decreased even further this year, when the weight of the province’s products in Spain’s total exports fell last August. It is at 1.74%.
“If we’re in a province, here’s what we say: We must gain competitivenessI think we need to gain productivity and get better at international markets, because it seems like – you’ll allow me to be ironic – working less, higher labor costs, less productivity and more tax burdenThis seems difficult to achieve,” said the think tank president.
“Also, here’s what we strongly disagree on. reaching agreement on such aspects without any social intermediary“, added.
Regarding the other side of the agreement between Sumar and PSOE, which includes, in addition to improvements in regional financing, an increase in infrastructure such as the airport rail link or the Cercanías network, the Ineca president admitted: “It would be good news if it happens.“. “Unfortunately what happens is that Experience shows us that there is a distance from saying to doing. “And until that becomes an absolute fact and a real commitment, we’re going to be extremely careful about that,” he quickly added.
In this sense, Nacho Amirola reminded that one of the most important works of the institution is to ensure that investments beyond what is foreseen in the budgets of public administrations are actually carried out. Therefore, the organization’s predictions are as follows: Only 40% of budgeted investments are made. “In my company, if I put up that number, they would fire me,” he said.
Because “Agreements like the one signed yesterday for purely election-related reasons, we do not pay any attention to them at Ineca.” until we see it, because we have already seen at Ineca how promises are broken time and time again.”
In this context, he reminded that there was a “political reaction” after the presentation of last year’s General State Budget, which left the province behind in per capita investment, and it was announced that 300 million dollars in compensation would be paid to Valencia. The community will be at your disposal. “Where is this 300 million?” he asked himself.
“Very positive” evaluation from Consell
On the other hand, Amirola carried out an action. “very positive review” The first hundred days of the new Consell led by Carlos Mazón. “Ineca’s usual demands certainly appear to have been taken into account reducing the tax burdenAs for the part simplifying bureaucracy “To facilitate all procedures involving companies in the province of Alicante,” he explained.
He also showed his satisfaction with the determination of different members of the Valencian Government to make efforts in this regard. provide execution data He insisted they thought it was “vital”.
Insufficient improvement
On the other hand, the Ineca Situation Report reflects that most economic indicators have improved in the province of Alicante so far this year, thanks to the normalization of economic activity after the effects of the epidemic have been fully overcome. However, the organization states that this evolution continues persistently, as always.”It is not enough for Alicante to gain weight“In the Spanish economy as a whole. “We must lay the foundations for more intensive and more sustainable growth over time“said Nacho Amirola, with the aim of reducing the per capita income gap.
A task he sees as essential For the growth of Alicante companies Because despite the progress made in recent years, they are still below the national average, which hinders their competitiveness.