The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, completes her team. The regional head of state presided over the unveiling of the new Industry team this morning and aimed to send a clear message to the business community. A stronger tax framework for the Community of Valencia is needed to address challenges facing the industrial, commercial, tourist, and innovative sectors of the economy.
The individuals filling the key roles are Philip Carrasco, taking on the position of regional secretary for Industry, Trade and Consumption; Manuel Rosalen, appointed General Manager of Industry; Maria Isabel Saez as General Manager of Commerce, Crafts and Consumption; and Ester Olivas as managing director of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization. Montes stated that this team will work daily to position the Community as an international reference point.
Montes also highlighted that within three weeks the new Valencian Government approved measures including the abolition of inheritance and donation tax, reform of political expenses, freezing of university fees, expansion of free public transport, and a coordinated action across administrations to prevent interruptions in the hospitality sector. He also stressed that Valencia remains the most taxed and least funded community in Spain.
“This Government continues to recruit top talent without losing sight of the business sector in the areas we represent, focusing on economic activity and the human capital that drives it,” the head of the ministry said.
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Carrasco will serve as the second in command of the ministry. He previously spoke for the PP on Industry in the Valencian Parliament, bringing a deep understanding of the problems and solutions carried over from Botànic. The new manager hails from Ontinyent and holds a Bachelor of Business Science along with degrees in Finance and Accounting.
During the presentation, Nuria Montes outlined her professional journey, noting several managerial posts in employers’ associations and industrial bodies at regional, national, and European levels. She announced that Carrasco will lead projects spanning industry, commerce and consumption, energy and mines, and will coordinate all promotional activities of the Chambers of Commerce and trade fairs. She added that the role will operate within a public-private partnership that engages the entire productive sector.
The regional secretariat for Industry, Trade and Consumption will also form part of the governing bodies of public companies such as Feria Valencia, Alicante Fair, SITVAL and SPTD, coordinating the work of IVACE when needed.
Rosalen Caparros, General Manager of Industry, is from Valencia. He studied law and political science and administration, and has served as a self-government officer for more than two decades. His past roles covered transport, economy, European funds, rural development, consumption, and industrial planning. “This holistic view of strategic areas for the Ministry will enrich the work team,” Montes stated. “Rosalén will coordinate industrial policy and safety programs, along with regional services to ensure consistent, high-quality care across the Valencian Community.”
As General Manager of Trade, Craft and Consumption, Mary Isabel Saez is presented as a representative of the interests of self-employed workers, SMEs, and large companies involved in wealth creation and employment. The councilor highlighted Saez’s versatility and multi-sector experience. Saez Martínez, a Sagunto native with a Bachelor in Information Science, spent nearly two decades in the trade and association sectors and has served as a councilor. Sagunto Town Hall appointed her as vice mayor.
Montes announced that Nuria Montes will also oversee the Digital District and Ciudad de la Luz as part of her portfolio.
Finally, Ester Olivas will be the managing director of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization. Olivas holds a law degree from the University of Valencia and a master’s in European Union Institutions and Policies, with nearly 20 years of specialization in European policies, international trade and industrial property. In recent years she contributed to the design and execution of more than 20 cooperation projects funded by international organizations and worked as an expert in more than 15 countries.
Olivas will focus on researching, evaluating, and promoting the Valencian economy in entrepreneurship. She will support the creation of new companies, promote financial tools related to entrepreneurship and internationalization, foster foreign trade and trade fairs, and attract sustainable investments. In short, she will drive public-private cooperation and advance the Community of Valencia’s internationalization across business sectors and their global presence, Montes added.