Cabanillas, Azuqueca and Marchamalo are promoting the creation of a "Logistics Free Zone"

 

The hall of the Cabanillas del Campo Town Hall was the chosen setting for the presentation of an initiative that could mark a before and after in the economic future of the Henares CorridorMayors José García Salinas (Cabanillas del Campo), Rafael Esteban (Marchamalo) and Miguel Óscar Aparicio (Azuqueca de Henares) appeared before the media to detail their joint proposal to create a "Central Intercontinental Axis Free Trade Zone"This administrative structure, as explained by the councilors, has the fundamental objective of organizing and ensuring the present and future development of this key geographic area, fostering collaboration between administrations at all levels, the business community, unions, and the university community.

 

The roadmap drawn up by the three municipalities involves raising this proposal to the Provincial Council of Guadalajara, which they ask to lead the analysis of the project's technical and legal feasibility, as well as the search for support at both the regional and state levels. The mayors' ambition is clear: to transform the Henares Corridor into an enclave with special conditions for logistics, taking advantage of its strategic location and established infrastructure.

 

"We firmly believe that our conditions as a logistics hub in the center of Spain make us a magnet for both national and international investments," José García Salinas, mayor of Cabanillas del Campo, stated, "We are in a dynamic business ecosystem that we must take advantage of to generate wealth and quality employment for our citizens."

 

Salinas elaborated on the ultimate goal of the initiative, which is none other than the creation of a consortium responsible for managing the future free trade zone. This status, granted by the central government, would allow for the establishment of "An area with special tax and customs conditions that facilitate international trade and business operations." The mayor of Cabanillas was convinced that this project will act as "a catalyst for the modernization and diversification of the regional economic fabric," qualifying the current moment as "crucial for the economic development of the area."

 

The three councilors trust in the leadership of the Provincial Council to materialize this transformative vision, which promises to turn the region into a hub for international trade and business activity.

 

The vision shared by the three mayors envisions a leading role for local governments, joining forces in a project that transcends municipal boundaries to benefit the entire community. "The Free Trade Zone will also make us a strategic destination for international trade," Salinas assured, highlighting the availability of"Established industrial sites and others under development make us a unique destination for this type of investment." The mayorAlde also emphasized the project's integrative nature, which seeks to incorporate other municipalities in the area and adapt to the needs of commerce and logistics, always under the principles of sustainable development, digitalization, and international projection.

 

A fundamental pillar on which the aspiration to convert the Henares Corridor into a free zone is based is the presence of the dry ports of Azuqueca de Henares and MarchamaloThese logistics infrastructures, designed to manage international freight origin and destination via rail and Mediterranean ports, are considered essential to achieving the desired status.

 

"In our municipalities we have two operational rail freight operations centers with the capacity to handle large volumes of goods," explained Miguel Oscar Aparicio, mayor of Azuqueca de Henares. "Furthermore, our road connection to Madrid-Barajas Airport and the large area of ​​influence of Madrid makes us an area with special conditions." Aparicio also highlighted the direct connection with the port of Tarragona and other ports of the Mediterranean Corridor, consolidating the region as "A strategic point for the distribution of goods to national and international destinations."

 

The mayor of Azuqueca envisions a future in which the area attracts logistics-related industries, such as production, assembly, and product processing. "The projected increase in attracting national and international productive investment in the first five years of operation is estimated at 50%, with an estimated 60% increase in the competitiveness of companies in Castilla-La Mancha thanks to the tax and logistical advantages," Aparicio predicted.

 

The model to follow, according to the mayor of Azuqueca, is that of the city of Vigo, which transformed its port area into a regional economic engine through institutional collaboration and a long-term strategic vision. "Our goal is to adapt this successful model to the specific characteristics of our region, leveraging our particular strengths and the unique potential of the Henares Corridor," stated Aparicio, who emphasized the importance of "cooperation between municipalities, overcoming localism and creating territorial synergies," as well as "the active involvement of the private sector and a firm institutional commitment at all administrative levels to put the territory at the service of common development."

 

For its part, Raphael Stephen, mayor of Marchamalo, focused on the administrative figure of the consortium as the ideal vehicle to manage the future Free Trade Zone of the Central Intercontinental Axis. "With a consortium in which all the municipalities that make up this area are represented, along with the regional and state administration, as well as social agents and the university, we will be able to exploit our special conditions and position ourselves as an international reference in the center of Spain," said Esteban.

 

The mayor of Marchamalo highlighted the crucial role that the Guadalajara Provincial Council will play in establishing this consortium, an administration to which the three mayors will formally present their proposal this Wednesday. "Our wish is that all the municipalities that could benefit from this consortium will be present, both those in the Henares Corridor and others that could join as an area of ​​expansion and influence," Esteban pointed out, mentioning towns such as Guadalajara, Alovera, Quer, Chiloeches, Fontanar, Yunquera and Torija, and even envisioning a possible expansion towards Tórtola, Humanes, Jadraque or Sigüenza.

 

The immediate task, as explained by the mayor of Marchamalo, is to ask the Provincial Council to begin the technical and legal work necessary to establish the Free Trade Zone, as well as to establish contacts with the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, the Spanish Government, and other relevant entities such as AENA, ADIF, the Port of Tarragona, the CEOE (Spanish Economic Commission for Spain), trade unions, and the University of Alcalá. "The ultimate goal is for this consortium to guarantee the future development and revitalization of this entire area, which is fundamental for the development of our entire province." concluded Esteban.

 

The three mayors are scheduled to meet this Wednesday, April 23, with the president of the Guadalajara Provincial Council, José Luis Vega, to kick off the processing of this ambitious initiative, which aims to transform the Henares Corridor into a leading logistics and business hub.