It was insufficient to extend the inheritance tax bonus to all companies, regardless of size, as outlined in the latest Generalitat Budgets Monitoring Act, supported by PSPV, PP, Ciudadanos and Vox. This leaves Alicante family businesses feeling stifled by a tax burden that affects both firms and citizens. They are calling for broader tax relief to stimulate economic activity and growth in the region.
Maite Antón, head of Aefa, spoke during the association’s general assembly and at the Family Business Provincial Meeting, where the call for more provincial investment and the maintenance of Tagus transfers was reiterated. The position highlights the role of family enterprises as drivers of wealth creation and welfare, in response to criticisms from Podemos about Mercadona’s leadership. The remarks do not directly target any individual by name.
“It saddens me to see currents today that try to publicly paint businessmen as part of the problem,” Antón affirmed. Those who call these attacks unjust argue that it stems from ignorance or populism used to gain votes, he added.
Aefa’s event featured a moment from the show at the El Maestral restaurant, with Pilar Cortes capturing the scene.
Antón argued that employment generated by enterprises underpins the welfare state. He also described measures that hinder new business creation and raise the financial burden as suffocating, noting that OECD countries face similar challenges with tax channels and competitiveness.
In stronger terms, Antón urged not to drown in taxes but to generate greater wealth and activity so more people can pursue their professions. The remarks were delivered in the presence of provincial authorities including Carlos Mazon, president of the Provincial Assembly, and Araceli Poblador, the Government’s Deputy Representative, among others.
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Antón stressed that many citizens struggle to meet shelter, nutrition, and rest needs largely due to corporate practices rather than the level of taxes alone. The organization is pushing for broad political consensus ahead of elections to extend the inheritance tax bonus, a longstanding demand for the association, noting that the regional discount currently applies only to firms with annual turnover under 10 million.
Participants at the Aefa round table, including contributors from the El Maestral show, were photographed by Pilar Cortes.
On another front, Aefa’s president called for an end to discrimination in state budgets and reminded that proper infrastructure and public services are essential for maintaining regional corporate competitiveness. He recalled mobilizations last fall advocating changes to the State Budget and said the association would continue to raise its voice until the injustice is corrected.
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The discussion also touched on fair water resource distribution and planning to prevent stagnation of growth. Without water, the region has no future, and the Tajo-Segura transfer should operate smoothly, emphasized a speaker from Elche.
State Assembly speaker Carlos Mazón commended Aefa’s defender role for the province’s interests. Carlos Mendoza, head of companies and SMEs for Banco Santander in Valencia and Murcia, praised the organization’s core values like people, enterprise, and societal progress.
In another session, the gathering included Colonel Pedro Baños offering geopolitical and geoeconomic analysis. Baños noted that the global landscape has shifted, describing a form of total contest driven by China’s efforts to coordinate international actions with the yuan, challenging the dollar’s dominant position.
A final roundtable featured Grupo Tenepa co-owner Saray Muñoz, Santiago Royo, CEO of Invest Corporation, and Pepe Escobar, general manager of Neoflex Adhesives, moderated by Mayte Torregrosa, Marketing Director of Gibeller.
New partners and a year-end update showed a growing roster. Maite Antón reported 174 members, with notable firms including Alehop, Aluminum y PVC, Balearia, Bateig Piedra Natural, Beniconnect, Cayro, Compañía Levantina de Reductores, Hersig, Indalva, Josep Llorca Construcciones, La Grajera, MPC Group, PVC, and Restaura Forty Gestión.