Ximo Puig, president of the Generalitat and candidate for another term with the socialist ticket, announced on Friday that talks are underway with ten multinational firms from advanced sectors to establish a presence in the Valencian Community. He cited a total investment of 24.4 billion euros and the creation of 43,000 direct jobs as core expectations, sharing these figures at the New Economy Forum in Valencia. The disclosure highlighted Volkswagen’s prospective arrival as a catalyst for regional investment and growth potential.
Puig emphasized that these multinationals are active in microprocessors, green hydrogen, renewable energy, electric batteries, components manufacturing, electric vehicles, and Big Data, underscoring their high level of maturity. He noted that most of these projects are already moving forward and will continue to unfold in the coming months.
The PSPV leader stressed that this moment is the result of stable, solvent governance and the collective effort of Valencians, insisting that decisive weeks and months lie ahead. He asserted that the region competes with Europe’s most developed areas and, for the first time, leads in emerging industries with the potential for a leap in scale and impact.
In another keynote, Puig outlined plans to create 150,000 jobs in the next legislature, aligning with the growth trajectory of the past four years. He pointed to a net gain of 450,000 jobs in the Valencian Community, driven by a favorable economic climate, stability, and sustained dialogue. He also framed unemployment targets, aiming to keep joblessness below 9% and to converge GDP per capita toward the national average through industry, innovation, and productivity improvements.
When asked about the choice between returning to past policies or moving forward, Puig stated that the Valencian Community’s future should not be treated as anyone’s property. He argued that economic growth would prosper where health and education advance in tandem, and he stressed that the question now is where the region wants to head—and what kind of growth it seeks.
business support
Puig announced that the next legislature would wield the full instrument of self-management to strengthen the regional business fabric and unlock new opportunities. Among the measures he cited were the creation of a 500 million euro investment fund to spur corporate investment and the rollout of digital vouchers to facilitate the digital transformation of Valencian firms.
Additionally, Puig reinforced his commitment to a productivity agenda for Valencia, aiming to boost the competitiveness of the regional business sector and to secure a major energy deal that would advance energy independence. He argued that the policy mix has consistently stimulated employment and economic activity, referencing investments of 680 million euros in 2015 to spur private activity, with that figure rising to 3.2 billion in 2023.
Puig’s vision for housing and families centers on housing as a pillar of welfare rather than a mere market product. He proposed public-private collaboration to craft a comprehensive plan to guarantee affordable housing across the Valencian Community, including expanding public housing for rent and purchase.
He also addressed demographics, noting that Spain needs targeted policies for families with two children. He proposed discounts and benefits that could save households up to 1,000 euros annually, placing the family at the core of social protection policies and broad-based assistance for the majority.
regional financing
On regional financing, Puig asserted that the region has long pressed for changes and achieved a framework where no one in Spain remains the most underfunded. He called for a financing model that combines adequacy with fair redistribution, signaling a willingness to pursue systemic reform while avoiding unnecessary costs. He suggested building consensus with the government, opposition, and other communities to address a nationwide problem.
Looking ahead, he stressed that the financing model must be recalibrated to reflect true regional needs while maintaining fiscal discipline, with ongoing collaboration among political actors and neighboring autonomous communities.
elections
In closing, Puig rejected the idea that Valencia serves merely as a proving ground for broader national politics. He described the Valencian Community as a prize that belongs to its residents, insisting that the only pressure felt is the public’s expectation to move forward or risk slipping backward. The central question, he argued, is whether the region continues on a path of progress that aligns with the community’s health, education, and economic vitality.