Political stability and moderation are at the center of the agenda. Antonio Garamendi, president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), urged the central government to deliver a climate that supports both the overall economy and individual companies. The call came during the first edition of Forinvest in Alicante. He also urged respect for Ferrovial’s decision to relocate its headquarters to the Netherlands. Garamendi sees a bright future for the country, driven by its strong digital ecosystem, a view echoed by Salvador Navarro, president of the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV). The region, however, continues to face infrastructure gaps that hinder growth. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
Casa Mediterráneo celebrated the first Forinvest event outside Valencia in 16 years, a gathering that brought together about one hundred professionals from business, economics, and entrepreneurship. One highlight was a roundtable titled “Keys to recovery and employment in an inflationary context,” led by Antonio Garamendi and Salvador Navarro and moderated by María Pomares, editor-in-chief of Economic and Information Policy. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
When addressing future challenges after the health crisis and the conflict in Ukraine, the CEOE leader noted that while a recovery is underway, pre-pandemic levels have not yet been reached. He flagged several concerns: higher inflation, higher taxes, and higher interest rates. The EC emphasized the need for formulas rooted in political stability, institutional loyalty, and legal certainty, along with moderation, as a foundation for economic improvement. He also argued that firms and businessmen should not be demonized, insisting that they are wealth generators and potential solutions for the nation. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
Garamendi underscored the importance of respecting Ferrovial’s relocation, noting that 90 percent of its business operates outside Spain, with more than 5,500 employees in the country and a tax contribution of 280 million euros in the region. He commented that Ferrovial remains within the European Union, and the Netherlands is a European country, not a tax haven. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
In his remarks, the CEOE president also called for the proper use of EU funds, advocating investments that yield benefits across all regions. He described Alicante’s economy as having an impressive future thanks to its robust digital ecosystem, stressing the need to revive the sector in a way that supports higher-paying jobs and sustains service sectors. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
Worst budgets in Alicante history
Salvador Navarro lamented that Spain carries one of the highest tax burdens in Europe and criticized the central government’s neglect of infrastructure in Alicante. He urged more cooperation and noted that Alicante’s challenges are shared by the entire Community. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
In the closing discussions, Garamendi and Navarro faced questions about their stance on an interprofessional minimum wage increase, a topic that divided opinion across the Valencia Community and the country. The event highlighted the broader debate on wage policy and its impact on employment and growth. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
perspectives
During the Forinvest sessions, Concepción Sanz from Banco Santander, Santiago Martínez from Ibercaja, and Juan Pérez from Mapfre agreed that inflation and rising interest rates are the main variables shaping a brighter-than-expected outlook. Mila Sycheva of Digital District, Nieves Lozano of Accenture, and Sonia Calvo from Nunsys emphasized the strong investment opportunities Alicante offers, thanks to its digital ecosystem and communications capabilities. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)
A renewed drive for decentralization
Spanish Finance Minister Arcadi opened the Forinvest conference in Alicante, presenting decentralization as a new momentum for governance. He described the Community as an island of stability, social dialogue, and political consensus that steers the path to recovery. Antonio Rodes, managing director of the Community of Valencia Thematic Projects Association, closed the event by praising Generalitat’s commitment to digitization, while Andrés Perelló, director of Casa Mediterráneo, highlighted its role as a venue capable of hosting large-scale events. (Attribution: Forinvest Alicante)