Despite a challenging economic climate driven by higher energy costs and pricier inputs, large family businesses trusted by the Alicante province are pushing forward and aiming to grow incomes across the board. This takeaway comes from a survey conducted during the last AEFA plenary session, an organization led by Maite Anton, which gathered 167 key firms sharing these traits.
Executives used this moment to express clear concerns about the political landscape. While the sentiment remains mixed, there is a palpable sense of uncertainty that resonates both nationally and on a regional level.
Regarding the overall economy, responses split between those who expect conditions to stay the same as last year (39.4%) and those who foresee a deterioration (36.4%). Only 24.2% anticipate an improvement. When asked about their own company’s trajectory, optimism rises. A striking 69.7% of AEFA partners expect revenue growth, while just 9.1% anticipate a decline, despite the wider economic headwinds.
In terms of employment, the outlook is steadier. About 54.5% of respondents expect the workforce to expand, while 45.5% foresee continued hiring at a similar pace. Not a single participant anticipated layoffs, a hopeful sign for the hiring outlook in the near term.
Energy and related costs dominate business concerns
Energy costs stand out as a top driver of strategic risk, with a notable 20.6% increase in the issues considered most influential to business development in the coming year. The persistent talent shortage remains the single biggest worry, cited by 16.3% of those surveyed as a barrier to growth.
Anticipated rises in interest rates rank third, reflecting higher indebtedness accumulated during the pandemic, and recorded 14.1% of responses. The consequences of the war in Ukraine and the availability of raw materials appear in fourth and fifth positions. The pandemic itself is a concern for only 8.3% of respondents, with digital transformation and logistics issues filling other notable positions on the list of risks.
Overall, AEFA partners view the national economy as weaker than the regional outlook for the Valencian Community. In the national context, 69.7% rate Spain’s economy poorly, assigning a 1 or 2 out of 5. At the regional level, 51.5% rate the local economic situation as middle-to-good, giving it a 3 or 4 out of 5.
Political sentiment follows a similar pattern. On the national stage, 81.8% give the government the lowest rating, with only 3% providing a zero pass and 6.1% granting a high score. In the Valencian Community, a majority also expresses dissatisfaction, though the intensity is less pronounced: 54.5% rate the regional political situation poorly, while 15.2% award it a 4 out of 5 and 12.1% a notable score.