After months of watching the General Budgets unfold in Alicante’s business circles, a mix of disbelief and anger settled in. Many worry that further reductions in investments are possible, while others argue these cuts throttle the region’s growth potential. Yet patience has worn thin, sparking calls for mobilization to press the central government for fair treatment. In a climate of division, CEV Alicante and Uepal found another pretext to deepen their rift, evidenced by a scheduling flip between meetings led by José Juan’s organization and Joaquín Pérez’s employers. The matter is pressing enough to warrant attention from all sides.
“Alicante is the forgotten Spain.” That claim, voiced by Joaquín Pérez, head of CEV Alicante, frames the regional frustration around a budget that the leaders view as an absolute misalignment with needs. The autonomous region sees itself as the biggest victim in both total and per-capita terms, with allocations standing at 160.9 million compared to 169.2 million for Castellón and only 939 thousand for Valencia.
Uepal president José Juan Sellés regrets that the central government has limited itself to budgeting investments that did not materialize this year. Critical projects such as the rail link to the airport remain unresolved, and others—like a third lane on the highway between Alicante and Valencia—are deemed essential. This comes as the state is accused of ridiculing regional employers for resisting a defense of local interests.
From this point forward, the dispute makes clear that even a problem as acute as perceived budgetary neglect cannot earn consensus from both organizations that still contest each other’s influence. Evidence of this tension is seen in CEV Alicante’s announcement of an extraordinary board meeting next Tuesday at 16:00 to address the crisis. However, Uepal also scheduled a meeting for Monday at 10:00, leading CEV to adjust its date to Monday in a show of the ongoing power struggle, while Uepal presses its case as well. The back-and-forth underscores the fierce struggle over the share of influence within the regional business community.
Amid the dispute, Carlos Baño, president of the Chamber of Commerce, has shown support for CEV and the broader civil society effort to address the budget shortfall. He frames the challenge as a concerted move to temper the crisis by fostering consensus within the business community. In addition to Alicante’s Public Works Federation (FOPA) and the Ineca Institute, a follow-up meeting between these organizations is scheduled for next Thursday. The forthcoming discussions with the Government’s Secretary-General for Infrastructures, Xavier Flores, are expected to push for pending investments in the province.
FOPA president Javier Gisbert does not hesitate to critique the province’s communication gaps and the budget estimates, arguing they fail to reflect reality. Ineca president Nacho calls the situation “madness,” while Amirola argues that Alicante’s future is being harmed by government budgeting decisions. The sentiment across industry leaders is clear: there is a shared belief that the province deserves more robust support to unlock its potential.
Alicante will receive lowest investment per capita from the Government in the whole country
All sector representatives align on the central concern: investment levels are insufficient and unevenly distributed. Toni Mayor, president of the Hosbec hotels association, emphasizes the need for broad mobilization ahead of any political cycle, insisting that unity must trump partisan differences. Jesualdo Ros, secretary of housing supporters, advocates for a united front to safeguard housing and infrastructure interests. Alicante metal head Luis Rodriguez points to clear marginalization, echoed by marble leader David Beltrá who calls for solidarity. Shoe industry president Marián Cano describes the situation as an injustice, while regional textile representative Pepe Serna complains that Alicante is repeatedly at a disadvantage. Maite Antón of the family business sector characterizes the conditions as unacceptable, urging concrete action from authorities and business leaders alike.
As the budget debate intensifies, the provincial business community remains resolute about the need for decisive policy responses. Stakeholders from diverse sectors recognize that only a coordinated, fact-based approach can reverse the trend of low per-capita investment and ensure Alicante’s development keeps pace with the rest of the country. The urgency is not merely economic; it is about preserving opportunities for families, workers, and enterprises that depend on a more predictable and level investment landscape. The coming weeks will reveal how these voices coalesce into a sustainable strategy to advocate for fair allocations and timely projects that can reanchor Alicante as a productive engine for the region.
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