The Valencia Community Business Confederation (CEV) and the mayors of the municipalities affected by the Vall d’Ebo fire agreed to collaborate closely. They outlined five concrete lines of action to support forest restoration and accelerate the region’s economic recovery after the disaster, which once threatened more than 12,000 hectares and caused losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.
CEV president Salvador Navarro and CEV Alicante president Joaquín Pérez met at the Vall d’Ebo Town Hall on a Wednesday session with the mayors of the affected municipalities and leaders from the Cercle Empresarial de la Marina Alta (CEDMA) and the Young Farmers Association (ASAJA Alicante), Benito Mestre and José Vicente Andreu respectively; they were joined by Rafael Frances from the Alcoià-Comtat Business Federation (FEDAC) and other business representatives from the Alicante province.
Salvador Navarro and Joaquín Pérez, after acknowledging the extraordinary efforts of emergency teams, expressed support for companies whose operations have slowed due to the fire’s impact. They called for assistance on commercial property and assets, including machinery, warehouses, crops, vehicles, and inventory, and they encouraged the establishment of new ventures and employment-generating initiatives in the affected areas.
Medium and long term strategic plan
The need to implement a medium and long term strategic plan was highlighted during the discussion. “The immediate priority is to restore essential services, but beyond that, recovery measures must be designed with input from those affected. This is the core purpose of today’s meeting. Companies are ready to contribute in any way required,” stated the chairman of CEV Alicante.
Business representatives and mayors also underscored the necessity for improved coordination and planning. They urged closer collaboration among different Administrations to establish and manage the various aids and actions, while also pushing for regulatory updates that reflect current realities and promote local products to boost awareness and consumption.
Navarro urged municipal authorities to seek assistance when aid is delayed or administrative procedures become lengthy. He also conveyed that CEV would advocate to ensure the Valencian Community’s affected areas receive appropriate support, noting that cooperation with national bodies like CEOE and CEPYME and attention from the EU, with backing from CEV Brussels, would be pursued as needed.
This should be noted: CEV will coordinate a follow-up chart after this initial meeting and plans another gathering in about a month to reassess the situation.
The five agreed axes of action include: demanding stronger coordination and planning among Public Administrations; analyzing regulatory changes needed for real compliance in forest management; promoting local products to the public; developing the medium and long-term strategic plan; and establishing a monitoring table. All efforts will be coordinated by CEV to ensure consistency and accountability across the region.