The Councillor for Economy, Competitiveness and Employment of the Government of Aragon, Eva Valle, explained this Monday before the Economy Committee of the regional Cortes that her Department’s accounts for 2027 are structured around six major lines of action, among which stands out “strengthening the Aragonese productive fabric and reinforcing the competitiveness and productivity of Aragon.”
Along with these two axes, she also pointed out the importance of “taking advantage of the opportunities of the major energy and technological transformations, maximizing the catalytic effect of investments so that they benefit all citizens, internationalizing and adapting companies to a complex international environment, and fostering employment, talent, and social dialogue.”
In her appearance, Valle stressed that “Aragon is facing a particularly marked moment by transformations that are changing the way of producing and generating employment,” although it has “a privileged logistical position, great capacity for energy production, talent and institutions capable of offering legal certainty.” Therefore, she emphasized the priority of “creating opportunities and well-being for our companies, citizens and self-employed workers.”
The head of Economy also indicated that “these budgets bet on continuing to position Aragon in the areas that define the economy of the future” and “are based on the conviction that major economic challenges require a joint strategy with a common impetus.” In addition, she advanced that “we will also reinforce the push for the defense sector by taking advantage of opportunities from innovation, and we will continue working to attract investment while we continue moving forward on regulatory simplification that guarantees simple rules of the game.”
Among the developments, Valle announced that “in 2027 a new line of direct aid to companies will be incorporated to support projects of internationalization and improvement of competitiveness aimed at medium-sized and small companies through AREX,” while the Directorate General of Employment “will continue to bet on social dialogue and on the prevention of occupational risks, and the financing of the SAMA will be increased.”
As one of the "most relevant measures of the Department," the councillor has highlighted "the zero quota in Social Security contributions for those who start an economic activity on their own account" and the "strengthening of support actions for commerce," while considering that "it is essential that our SMEs and self-employed workers form part of the economic transformation that we are experiencing."
SELF-EMPLOYED WORKERS AND SMALL COMMERCE
During the round of the groups, PP deputy Juan Pablo Artero has focused his remarks on the program 'Volveremos', which he has defined as a "program that supports self-employed workers and small commerce," and he has recalled that the Department "has other very interesting projects such as Dat Alierta or the industrial development transformation program." However, he has warned that "more available energy is needed."
For the PSOE, deputy Pedro Polo reproached the Executive for the fact that "you received an economic Ferrari with the tank full of renewable energy and you have used it very well to tour Aragón announcing investments and major projects, but this Aragonese Ferrari begins to lose capacity" and he added that "unemployment has increased by more than one point in this legislature."
On behalf of Vox, Marta Fernández has defended that "the budgets are backed by a social majority and they seek to strengthen our companies, improve competitiveness, and make it easier for those who already work in Aragón," while also requesting "accessible internationalization calls and timely resolutions."
CHA deputy Miguel Jaime has recalled that "a budget is not only a list of figures, but the expression of a government's political priorities," and he has asked the councillor "how many jobs the major projects announced in the Community will generate and what fiscal and economic return they will provide in the Community."
IU spokesperson Marta Abengochea has stated that "the reality is that the Department of Economics is the one that suffers the greatest cuts and, although the usual excuse is the end of European funds, they could have sustained this drop with their own funds." She has also emphasized that, "according to its own economic-financial report, Aragón's GDP grows below the Spanish average."