• CEOE.More industry and less tourism: entrepreneurs ask to rethink the economy

That the crises may be an opportunity to resurface stronger was well learned by the construction and development sector in Spain in 2008, with the bursting of the real estate bubble that carried much of the sector ahead. For this reason, many of the entrepreneurs who have piloted the recovery of the sector in recent years have put on the table the lessons learned and have asked the Government for more investment to become one of the pillars of economic reconstruction after the coronavirus pandemic.

"In our sector we are going to be affected. We have no need for subsidies or aid, we believe that they should be saved for sectors that are really having a hard time, but we need liberalization and flexibility measures," said Ismael Clemente , CEO of Merlin Properties , during the third session of the Business Summit organized by the CEOE employers to address the position of companies in the recovery of the Spanish economy.

"Flexibility" and "investment" have been two of the terms that have been repeated the most by the dozen managers who have appeared in the first panels of the morning. All have wanted to emphasize the need to bet on construction, infrastructure and real estate promotion as the engine of economic activity in Spain in the coming years.

"Spain continues to need investment in infrastructure ... it is vital to boost the economy and generate employment," said Rafael del Pino , Ferrovial's president. Del Pino has also urged the government to launch "a revival plan based on economic orthodoxy."

Legal certainty has once again crept into the employers' claims as an essential element to attract foreign investment. Manuel Manrique , president of Sacyr , has emphasized it to promote works in Spain. "Spain can and must provide legal security, certainty and reliability. We need these funds for reconstruction," he said.

Maurici Lucena , president of Aena , has echoed the 1.2 billion that the company plans to invest between 2020 and 2021 to reinforce the country's airport facilities. "We did a round of liquidity with the banks, so that now we have more than 3,000 million euros of liquidity that give us peace of mind to face the coming months," said the head of the operator.

In addition, the company has approved a commercial incentive for airlines to fly planes. "We will make a discount on the landing fee, divided into different sections, to encourage movement in airports in the coming months."

In relation to the large airport projects that are still pending, Lucena has assured that the expansions in Madrid and Barcelona will continue to be carried out, "but it is possible that they will move over time significantly, although they will end up being done".

Public-private collaboration

Another mantra that is repeated in the construction sector to continue maintaining its evolution is public-private collaboration, and in this aspect Ángel Simón , president of Agbar , and Juan Lazcano , president of the National Confederation of the Construction ( CNC ).

"This is not the time for adjustments. We must anticipate public investment projects and promote private investment," said Lazcano. According to Ángel Simón, this will be "the engine to execute the necessary investments and guarantee the levels of stability that we want to achieve."

Juan Antonio Gómez Pintado , president of the Association of Building Developers of Spain ( APCE ), has once again demanded a plan of public guarantees for the acquisition of the first home among young people as a measure to streamline the sector.

The president of Banco Santander, Ana Botín, advocated this route a few weeks ago, within the framework of a general demand within the sector to boost residential purchases and the construction of new construction. "Today banks provide 75% of the value of a home. We require a guarantee commitment with the banks to expand the credit they grant up to 95%," said Gómez Pintado.

For Víctor García Brosa , president of Oficemen , the Executive should "facilitate the relaunch of demand in the residential sector in terms of new construction through a public social housing plan for long-term rentals", while Luis Rodulfo Zabala , president of Cepco considers that for everything to go ahead it is "essential to adopt more technical than political measures".

In accordance with the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Spain
  • Madrid
  • CEOE
  • Barcelona

Tourism Battle between countries to retain their national tourist

President of the Círculo FortunyXandra Falcó: "This will be a year of transition but with opportunities for luxury"

BrusselsNadia Calviño summons Pedro Sánchez to clarify in the coming days if he chooses to preside over the Eurogroup

See links of interest

  • Last News
  • Programming
  • English translator
  • Work calendar
  • Daily horoscope
  • Santander League Ranking
  • League calendar
  • TV Movies
  • Masters 2019
  • Cut notes 2019
  • Themes
  • Barça - Club Joventut de Badalona
  • Eintracht Frankfurt - FC Schalke 04
  • Aston Villa - Sheffield United
  • Eibar - Athletic Club
  • Osasuna - Atlético de Madrid