Alliance Between Alicante and Germany to Promote Investments

Alicante is hosting the 'First Spanish-German Business Forum' this Friday, aiming to serve as a bridge to enhance economic and commercial relations. The institutional welcome was opened by the Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, who expressed the great opportunity that the exchange between Germany and Spain represents. "Germany is the engine of the EU, and in Spain, we have much to learn but also much to offer," he highlighted. The mayor insisted that this forum is a space to find "complementarities" that allow us to "further enrich our economies."

Barcala emphasized the economic and business capacity of a province that ranks fifth in Spain's GDP and fourth in population, as well as the potential of its capital's industry, which gained over a thousand companies last year, approaching 25,000, accounting for 18% of the provincial total and thus 25% of its GDP, in addition to being 75% larger in size than the national average.

The honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, Nuria López von Kapff, highlighted the large number of German citizens living in Alicante. The diplomat emphasized the importance of Alicante Elche airport, which has connections with more than 20 destinations in northern Europe. "This boosts not only tourism but also the economy," she insisted. She also highlighted the importance of this Forum in opening bridges between the German and Alicante business sectors.

Meanwhile, the President of the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, Carlos Baños, thanked the Alicante City Council for providing spaces and highlighted the importance of the entrepreneurial culture of the people of Alicante. "We are small businesses, but we have an open character and envy Germany's vocational training; promoting and valuing trades is our pending task." Baños emphasized that in a time of international uncertainty, it is essential to strengthen ties within the EU.

The Economic Counsellor of the German Embassy, Georg Schulze Zumkley, analysed the current geopolitical situation with a focus on Russia and China and the historical development that has led to the current situation. He highlighted that "we need a policy adapted to China and Russia." Additionally, he stressed the importance of the relationship between Spain and Germany to enhance security, citing the supply of green hydrogen and the strengthening of the automotive sector as examples. He also explained three economic keys of the new German government, focused on tax cuts to increase investment, reducing energy costs by lowering the energy tax, and promoting an ambitious trade agenda - supporting the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain (AHK) analysed the opportunities in the German market. Among future prospects, the businessman highlighted the importance of aspects such as the need for energy to have reasonable prices, the reduction of indirect taxes in this sector, or the need for skilled labour. He also noted that Alicante exports to Germany twice as much as it imports from Germany, excluding the tourism sector.

The first part was concluded by the AHK Market Consulting Director, Markus Kemper, who reviewed the sectors of interest, highlighting the Digital Economy. Additionally, several Alicante companies were able to hold individual meetings with the AHK technical team, focused on specific opportunities in different sectors.

In the second part of the programme, Alicante Futura and ALIA presented the city's strategic vision to establish itself as an investment destination and innovation hub. The day concluded with a networking space that strengthened the connection among participants.

This forum is part of a joint strategy aimed at boosting the growth of Alicante's business fabric and positioning the territory as an investment destination and a reference for international collaboration, especially in sectors such as technology, sustainability, advanced industry, and international trade.