The Valencia Community Business Confederation (CEV) continues to gain influence over the Alicante State Business Association (Uepal). The latest shift has been driven by Elche and the Association of Regional Service Companies (Aesec), which is Uepal’s leading arm in Elche. They chose to align with the CEV to boost visibility and foster unity. The move keeps Elche within the provincial body, now chaired by César Quintanilla and maintaining a seat among its vice presidents. Yet ten Uepal member associations are gradually transitioning to the CEV.
Aesec stands out as one of the groups showing strong commitment to Uepal since its inception. José Rizo, a former leader of Elche collaboration and current vice president, continues in the vice presidency of the provincial organization, which recently saw César Quintanilla proclaimed as president. The integration into the CEV has attracted attention, especially given tense relations with Uepal during the tenure of Juan José Sellés, who chaired the second formation.
While the public announcement has been made, the contacts trace back to late last year. Esther Guilabert, the general secretary of the CEV, explained that those in charge of Aesec invited CEV president Salvador Navarro to a breakfast to discuss operations and services. The meeting ended satisfactorily, with the board of the autonomous employers’ association approving the move. Guilabert stressed that the aim is to integrate more sectoral and regional associations as part of a broader effort to strengthen representativeness for the entire region.
representativeness
In the words of the CEV, Aesec president Antonio Andreu described the organization as owned by the CEOE, which gives it significant influence in decision‑making and business representation. Andreu noted that the Aesec assembly supports a belief in unity across the Valencia Community’s business community to protect shared interests. He pointed out that the services sector accounts for more than 70% of regional employment, underscoring the importance of including partners in various working groups within the CEV and increasing visibility of their needs and priorities.
The Elche entity maintains that it will remain affiliated with Uepal, with José Rizo continuing as vice president and Andreu serving on the board. The leadership argues there is no need to fault either organization and emphasizes a mutual benefit in continuing relations, noting that membership in both bodies is not incompatible. The focus, they say, is to recalibrate relationships between the two groups to benefit the broader regional agenda.
Concerns about recent public comments by the vice‑president of CEV Alicante last September and the subsequent dismissal of Joaquín Pérez, head of the state’s employers’ association, have prompted calls for trust to be rebuilt. Antonio Andreu remarked that an agreement is necessary to restore harmony and that César Quintanilla, the new Uepal president, could play a decisive role in achieving that goal.
Indeed, Quintanilla used his keynote as a signal of intent to enhance relations with the CEV. He also affirmed that confluence should stem from pluralism and defended Uepal’s right to push for the best outcomes for Alicante Province.
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The practical reality is that ten collaborations with Aesec have moved from Uepal to the CEV. Before Elche’s reorganization, Jovempa, the Alicante Public Works Federation (FOPA), the Alicante State Real Estate Developers Association (Provia), Alcoià-Comtat Business Federation (Fedac), Foia de Castalla Business Association (Ibiae), Agricultural Young Farmers Association (Asaja), and the Alicante Provincial Transport Federation (Fetrama) were all part of Uepal. Two groups that remain outside are the Provincial Accommodation Operators Association (Apeha) and the Footwear Subcontractors Association (AEC).