CaixaBank and the Alicante State Family Business Association, known as Aefa, strengthened their commitment to supporting local family businesses through a new cooperation agreement. This marks the ninth such agreement signed between the two organizations since 2014, each one built to foster growth and sustainable development of family enterprises throughout the province.
The signing ceremony was attended by Aefa’s president along with CaixaBank’s regional manager for the Communities of Valencia and the Region of Murcia. The heads of both organizations highlighted the collaboration as a key step in helping family firms navigate the challenges of today’s economy. The agreement includes CaixaBank’s continued backing of the forthcoming edition of the Aefa Awards, which will celebrate its twenty-eighth edition soon in the city.
The document also enables the launch of a training day for family business leaders in the province, planned to run throughout the year. During the conference, participants discussed topics related to the management and competitiveness of family-owned business models, which are a crucial part of the province’s economic fabric. It is noted that family businesses account for a significant portion of the regional economy and serve as a major employment driver.
The Aefa president praised the essential role played by family enterprises in the province. These companies contribute to wealth generation and help sustain the welfare state through stable employment. During the meeting, Antón expressed gratitude to CaixaBank for its ongoing dedication to the Alicante family business community and to Aefa. The president also underscored the important annual events that the association organizes for its members.
Olga García, CaixaBank’s regional manager for the Community of Valencia and the Region of Murcia, emphasized the importance of supporting Alicante’s family firms. She stated that collaborating with Aefa is essential because the association represents, supports, and strengthens companies that form a decisive part of Alicante’s business landscape.
CaixaBank has established itself as a reference institution for the business community thanks to its specialized approach. The bank offers products and services tailored to the needs of family businesses and supports them through CaixaBank Empresas, a network with 220 specialized centers and offices across Spain. This network employs about 2,200 professionals who provide business consulting and advisory services to clients in various sectors.
Founded in 1995, Aefa emerged from the initiative of 32 family business owners in Alicante. It was the first organization of its kind in Spain, following the National Institute of Family Business established two years earlier. The association’s core aims include defending the interests of family companies and ensuring their continuity across generations. Today, Aefa has grown to include more than one hundred partner firms and remains a pivotal voice for family entrepreneurship in the region.