The Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV) today urged the Spanish Government to expand bilateral trade diplomacy with Algeria in order to address the ongoing conflict. The measure aims to protect the interests of about 1,400 local companies, according to Salvador Navarro, the CEV head, who spoke during a forum in Alicante. He expressed concern about the diplomatic crisis and its serious economic repercussions, noting that this regional cluster is being hit harder than much of the country’s productive sector. Navarro highlighted the complete paralysis affecting the frit and glaze industries, which are central to Algeria’s main export activities since July.
CEV called on the Government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs to urgently strengthen the defense of Spanish producer interests on the European stage. It urged engagement with Spain’s Permanent Representation in the European Union and with the Council of Europe to ensure that defending the energy and strategic needs of the Union does not overshadow the welfare of Spain’s industrial base and the broader Community interests.
CEV’s Alicante chapter, led by Joaquín Pérez, along with Esther Guilabert, the general secretary of the CEV, and representatives from the Alicante Chamber of Commerce and other organizations such as ANFFECC, ASEBEC, HOSBEC, FOPA, AEFJ, ASAJA, FEDACOVA, VECTALIA, Grupo IDEX, and Carmencita, participated in the discussions. They noted how the blockade and related bottlenecks are hampering imports, with Algeria delaying authorizations and certificates, causing customs delays and increased container costs at ports and border stations.
Conflict with Algeria is already causing 50 million losses to companies in the province
The participants warned that the current stalemate creates a competitive edge for neighboring rivals, including Italy, France, and Portugal, which are winning back market share from Valencian firms. The forum stressed that the situation requires prompt political and administrative action to safeguard the regional economy and preserve long-term trade relations with Algeria, a key partner in the area.
Budgets and investment concerns were also on the table. Joaquín Pérez used the meeting to express disappointment with the level of investment in the province from business circles and civil society, a factor that some officials consider in national planning. He outlined an action plan developed in collaboration with the Alicante Chamber of Commerce and the Alicante Institute of Economic Research to reverse the current trend and to support local producers as they navigate the fiscal and regulatory landscape. The plan focuses on strengthening export readiness, improving logistics efficiencies, and enhancing the dialogue between regional actors and national authorities. (CEV, Alicante)