President Alicante Family Business Associationa (Aefa), Maite Antón, expressed satisfaction as the Consell announced a measure offering up to a 99% reduction on Inheritance and Donation Tax between parents, children, and spouses. The leader noted that this policy could help a larger share of family-run firms survive the generational transition. Antón, however, did not stop there; she argued for extending the tax bonus to a broader circle of relatives, including uncles and nephews, at least up to the third degree.
This stance came during the annual awards ceremony hosted by the organization, which recognized Ibense company, Indem Plastic, Avecox, and Port Hotels, a hotel chain once led by former Hosbec chair Toni Mayor. The event also honored Manuel Peláez Castillo, founder of J’hayber, along with Rafael Bernabeu Moya, for a special business career award.
The business representative used the moment to comment on the national political landscape, urging for a strong government capable of making decisions that address real citizens’ issues and acknowledging that economic strength underpins social well-being.
Taxation
Antón reminded attendees that family businesses already benefit from a tax bonus when transferring inheritance or donations from parents to children, a policy that does not extend to the broader population and is part of a broader expansion effort. Specifically, she highlighted the involvement of spouses in the continuity of enterprises and noted cases where families have even changed the company name, adding “widow” to the company title in certain circumstances to reflect leadership transitions.
Aefa’s president underscored the need to broaden the beneficiary pool for this tax relief, particularly to support firms that are already in the second or third generation and where the family network has grown. The organization now supports extending the bonus to second-degree relatives and proposes including third-degree relatives, to encompass uncles and nephews. The goal is not to halt tax payments but to ensure ongoing business continuity while recognizing the broader family structures that contribute to operations.
She pointed out that family-owned businesses account for a large share of the regional economy, contributing significantly to production and employment, and that many firms face one of the most precarious moments during generational change. Statistically, only a small portion survive such a transition, making this policy a critical lever for resilience.
Considered worthy
The winners of the 28th Aefa Awards were announced with the Generalitat Prize awarded to the Ibense company Indem Plastic, a business that began in 1989 when its founder transformed a family toy production operation into a plastic extrusion enterprise. Today, the company supplies packaging for a wide range of sectors.
The Provincial Award went to Avecox, founded in 1976 by Ramón Rives, a leader in poultry meat marketing now operating in 15 countries. The HE Caixabank Award recognized the person responsible for the organization’s Valencian Community-related efforts, Felipe Pulido, while Port Hotels, Toni Mayor’s former Hosbec chair, earned recognition for its portfolio of 11 properties across Alicante and Valencia, totaling more than 4,000 beds.
The awards ceremony was hosted in Alcoy, with images captured by photographer Alex Dominguez.
Finally, a special recognition sponsored by the Manuel Peláez Castillo Foundation was presented to Rafael Bernabeu Moya from Elche. Born in 1930, Bernabeu Moya and his brother Mariano built a diversified holding in the Alicante province, spanning footwear to shoelasts, agriculture to construction and real estate, and passing the enterprise to the next generation in 1930. The family business traces its roots to a traditional espadrille operation established by their grandfather in 1923, later diversifying in 1972 to include brands like J’hayber and various related ventures such as Riegosa, Cicasa, JM Los Frutales, and J’hayber Pádel.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 2 at the Alcoy Industrial Circle.