The Alicante Province Business Union, commonly known as UEPAL, gathered its board at Torre Juana in Alicante to urge public administrations and the political and social organizations in Alicante and Elche to reclaim the spirit of the functional area. The aim is to make dialogue the pathway for joint development between the two cities and every part of their business fabric. This call came from a sense that collaboration can unlock innovations, attract investment, and create a more resilient regional economy that benefits workers, firms, and communities alike.
UEPAL members argue that the two most recent episodes affecting both cities, the management of taxi services at the Alicante Elche Miguel Hernandez airport and the viability of the Medicine degree at the University of Alicante, illustrate a simple truth. When language turns adversarial, growth falters; when dialogue is rational and structured, progress accelerates. In these contexts, the functional area can maximize opportunities for both cities, recognizing that the expansion of one strengthens the other rather than the reverse. The association’s president, César Quintanilla, framed this idea as a practical pathway to shared prosperity that respects local identities and autonomy while pursuing common goals.
UEPAL recalls that at the most recent forum focused on the Alicante Elche functional area, the mayors of both cities communicated clear and sincere intentions to advance a robust joint project without eroding autonomy or identity. The discussions outlined a governance framework featuring a social and business council, a strategic plan, and a cross-university chair in both institutions to drive the development of this shared concept. The aim is to align public policy, private sector strengths, and academic research in a way that spurs regional vitality and job creation while keeping the distinct character of each city intact.
Quintanilla underscored that a coherent posture of cooperation, alliance, trust, and a real appetite for joint development can resolve tensions without resorting to confrontation. He argued that Elche and Alicante should aspire to compete with global metropolises such as Madrid, Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco. Building a united front to compete on the international stage makes sense; competing against each other, especially when both are smaller players, only diminishes influence and reduces competitiveness in a rapidly globalizing world. This perspective positions the two cities as a complementary duo with a stronger, shared voice in investment, talent retention, and innovation ecosystems.
As the meeting concluded, several members of AlicanTec joined the conversation, including Andrés Pedreño, Joaquín Garrido, and David Ivorra, among others. AlicanTec represents a coalition of companies, startups, entrepreneurs, and organizations committed to the digital economy and tech-driven entrepreneurship. The association offered to act as a conduit linking technology with productive sectors to drive growth across the Alicante province. This collaboration envisions a more connected ecosystem where digital capabilities, research outputs, and industrial activity reinforce one another, producing new ventures, better skills pipelines, and stronger regional resilience.