The Spanish Chamber of Commerce compiles the 170 economic policy measures that, according to its vision, should be applied after 23-J

Facing the general elections

“One of the priorities, whatever the Government elected at the polls, must be to carry out a pro-business policy, which promotes a context conducive to growth, transformation and job creation,” said the president of the Chamber of Spain, José Luis Bonet.

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The general elections of July 23 come at a time of huge challenges, but also of great opportunities for Spain, which require stability and agreement on key issues.

 

Therefore, the Chamber of Commerce of Spain has prepared a document that compiles the 170 economic policy measures that, according to the business vision, the government that emerges from the polls should address.

 

“One of the priorities, whatever the Government elected at the polls, must be to carry out a pro-business policy, which promotes a context conducive to growth, transformation and job creation. The company, as a key piece of our social market economy system, must be the center of the economic policy of the future government,” said the president of the Chamber of Spain, José Luis Bonet.

 

Fiscal policy

Therefore, one of the most urgent actions is to reduce the tax pressure that companies bear, to encourage competitiveness and contribute to increasing investments, innovations and, ultimately, job creation.

 

Among the measures to be adopted is reducing the cost of hiring through a reduction in social contributions, which are well above the average for the OECD.

 

Likewise, it will be necessary to corporate tax reform, to establish a single and lower rate than the current one, and a more simplified tax benefit scheme in line with the challenges posed by the ecological transition and digital transformation.

 

Energy

Another priority area of ​​action is energy. First of all, it is essential guarantee regulatory stability and legal certainty necessary so that energy companies can undertake the important investments that will be required in the coming years.

 

It will also require the implementation of policies that promote the energy transition of our economy without increasing our dependence on the outside. To achieve this, incentives will be necessary for companies that manufacture the components necessary for said process to set up shop in Spain, also using European funds for this purpose. Likewise, the supply of the raw materials necessary for these industries must be guaranteed by streamlining the procedures for the commissioning of mining concessions.

 

Another priority issue is the extension of the useful life of nuclear power plants, always in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Council. Nuclear energy guarantees energy supply at a competitive price and provides stability to the electrical system. Its closure would require additional investment in backup thermal power, which would increase greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy dependence on the outside world and lead to an increase in the electricity bill.

 

La environmental sustainability It also involves the circular economy and the need for circular economy regulations that must take into account the effect of increased costs that it may produce in the short term on certain companies and sectors.

 

In this sense, the special tax on non-recyclable plastic packaging should be reviewed and its application paralyzed until there is an impact analysis that allows the costs and benefits of its implementation to be quantified.

 

A third priority area of ​​action is improved financing, particularly for SMEs, both through public mechanisms - such as European funds or guarantees from organizations such as the ICO - and by continuing to encourage alternative financing mechanisms for small and medium-sized companies.

 

The company, as a key piece of our social market economy system, must be the center of the economic policy of the future government,” José Luis Bonet reiterated.

 

Training

 

Another urgent area of ​​action is training. Education must be considered as a matter of State and the stability of the educational system. To begin with, aspects linked to professional orientation and basic values ​​must be promoted, in addition to duality and languages. Another fundamental aspect is the adaptation of studies to the needs of companies, which must play a key role in establishing the appropriate orientation and content of the different study plans, either by proposing specific subjects that cover their needs, or detailing the basic skills and competencies that students should have to carry out their task appropriately.

 

For its part, digital transformation requires progress in the effective development of secure and reliable digital identity systems, with simplified and agile procedures for obtaining them. A transformation that also demands having new critical infrastructures for digital connectivity, such as broadband networks, 5G and cloud development. It is a necessary requirement for the widespread adoption of digital technologies and to ensure that digital services are reliable, secure and accessible.

 

“Consensus between the major parties would be of great help to address issues that affect the pension system, the labor market, taxation, education, business sustainability or the management of Next Generation EU funds, which represent a historic opportunity for the transformation and modernization of Spain. In the foreseeable absence of this political agreement, public-private collaboration, which has been offering such favorable results in recent years, must be reinforced,” underlined the president of the Chamber of Spain, José Luis Bonet.