The president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Campo de Gibraltar, Rafael Fenoy, accompanied by municipal authorities from throughout the region, has presented a study that analyzes the creation of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) aimed at providing the territory with fiscal and administrative measures that allow it to compete on equal terms with Gibraltar, Morocco, and Ceuta.
The recent agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom regarding Gibraltar recognizes the fiscal imbalances affecting the region, prompting the authorities in the area to emphasize the need for anticipation and planning to seize the opportunities that said agreement generates. Likewise, there has been a call for all Administrations to fulfill their commitments, highlighting the Comprehensive Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar promoted by the Government of Spain, while urging the Junta de Andalucía to implement the 112 measures in response to Brexit, especially regarding communications within the region.
Carlos Fenoy stressed that the SEZ is "a possible and viable instrument," citing examples of European territories where similar spaces function, such as the Baltic States, Romania, and southern Italy. He explained that the study was prepared by a specialized consulting firm with contributions from the Chamber of Commerce, all the municipalities, the Port Authority, social and economic agents, as well as the University of Cádiz. Some of the proposals have already been conveyed to the Junta de Andalucía and the Government of Spain.
The implementation of this special zone would include bonuses on corporate tax, tax deductions, customs advantages and VAT, as well as a more simplified administration to reduce bureaucracy. Fenoy clarified that it is not about requesting permanent privileges, but about tools to compete on equal terms and that it would have predetermined deadlines.
The study estimates that the launch of the SEZ would generate more than 4,000 direct jobs, more than 7,000 indirect jobs, and attract around 7 billion euros in national and foreign investments. These figures include infrastructure planned by the Government of Spain and the Junta de Andalucía, although they have not yet been executed. Fenoy expressed confidence that the Government of Spain would defend the project before the European Union, which will have the final approval, and stated that "the Campo de Gibraltar has delivered; now it all depends on whether there is political will."