By the end of the year. This is the deadline set by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism to complete the restructuring of both the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI) and the Valencian Business Competition Authority (Ivace). According to the Valencia Management, the aim is this: Avoid duplication between both organizations and decide whether AVI will continue to operate this way or be integrated into the structure of the department. It is also planned to design a mechanism that will ensure that the distribution of aid from the institution, which has so far left the province of Alicante in the background, will be fair and proportionate.
It was one of the previous Botanical Government’s biggest bets to foster innovation across the entire Valencian Community, and now its future, at least with its own structure, is uncertain. This is the situation AVI finds itself in, In the process that the new Government led by Carlos Mazón wants to carry out to streamline the structures of the Generalitat, promote administrative simplification and reduce expenditures. No decision has been taken at the moment as it will depend on the work carried out regarding the functions of this department and the effectiveness of the actions it carries out. Of course, what the ministry is clear on is that this needs to be done as quickly as possible.
The restructuring that may take place in AVI will also completely affect Ivace.Considering that this institute has some powers in terms of innovation. For this reason, department sources explain that the aim is to not have overlapping functions, to always aim for greater efficiency and for companies to have a single window through which they can convey their needs. Another aim is to establish more connections and increase synergy between different departments, either as an instrumental company or integrated into the structure of the department.
For now, the same sources assure that: While the decision will not be postponed beyond this year, all possibilities remain open. Another aspect will be the implementation of what has been decided, because depending on its complexity it may take a little longer.
The currently existing lack of definition is reflected in the management organizational chart of both organizations, confirming a temporary situation. In the case of AVI, Mazón accepted last Friday the resignation of Andrés García Reche, its top executive since its founding in 2017, and his duties were therefore temporarily assumed by the organisation’s secretary general. , Olivia Star. Regarding Ivace, there is currently a power vacuum in that the replacement of the previous managing director, Julia Company, has not yet been determined, and therefore the operation of the company now reports directly to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism. Under the direction of Nuria Montes. Appointments will be made after determining the direction each institution will follow, by searching for profiles suitable for this purpose requested from that department.
Among the issues waiting to be identified in the AVI restructuring process It also includes the methodology adopted in the distribution of aid provided by the institution so far.. And the fact is that, although the official headquarters was in Alicante – the operation was in Valencia – the fact is that the province has always suffered in all searches and as a result there has been a barrage of criticism even from the Provincial Council. During its previous tenure, it was headed by Consell’s current president, Carlos Mazón. Actually, The institution even approved the PP’s motion to condemn what it saw as discrimination in the distribution of subsidies.Additional allocations were requested to serve companies, universities, research institutions, associations and local organizations that were excluded because the regional corrective index was not applied. Amid this controversy, Botànic increased the funds allocated to the state by 16% in the 2022 call, but still received only one in every five euros. Therefore, they say that the aim is to create a fair and proportionate distribution mechanism.
With the determination to accelerate with photovoltaic power plants
Another priority task of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism is to unblock 350 photovoltaic power plant projects that have been suspended for three years, 150 of which belong to the province of Alicante. The regional department will step into the accelerator to ensure that decisions are reached before January 25, the date when companies promoting these facilities will face serious economic losses if they do not obtain the relevant permits. They are deprived of the guarantees deposited at that time. Likewise, electrical connection permits will expire.
The recent appointment of Manuel Argüelles to the General Directorate of Energy and Mining should be a turning point in this sense, among other issues, because he was the interlocutor the sector demanded. The ministry states, among other things, that there are specific guidelines to do everything possible to speed up the procedures, as investments of 7.5 billion euros and around 6,000 jobs are also at risk.
The regional department has finally reaffirmed its determination to abolish the tourist tax before the end of the year, as promised.