The Government has doubled the volume of resources destined to the dynamization of the Balearic economy, with more than 3,500 M€ invested last year

Balears has seen materialized priority commitments such as those of the Paseo Maritimo, the expansion of the treatment plant and the tram, in Palma; the Parador de Eivissa and the new judicial office in Formentera, and the promotion of the construction of social and affordable housing in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

The Government of Spain has allocated more than 3.5 billion euros over the last year to the dynamization and economic boost of Balears, which is more than double what was invested in 2021, according to the “Complying” accountability report. Six out of every 10 euros of this total correspond to deliveries on account of the financing system, which means that the State transfers this money for its direct management from the islands, while another 1.2 billion euros have served to improve the liquidity of the Autonomous Community and local entities. On the other hand, the main state investments in this section correspond to the deployment of the Digital Kit program, with more than 1,500 SMEs beneficiaries to date; to the strategies of modernization of trade, which adds up to 4.5 million euros of budget, and to the plans of sustainability and tourist resilience, for a joint value of 85 M€, among others.

In 2022, priority commitments have materialized, such as the refurbishment of Palma’s Paseo Maritimo, with more than 43 M€, whose works have recently begun. The extension of the treatment plant, with 142.6 M€, and the future tramway, with an initial budget of 20 M€, are two other large infrastructures promoted in the Balearic capital, to which the additional 2.5 M€ are added to finish the Parador de Eivissa. Other crucial initiatives in the different islands stand out, such as the opening of the Formentera Justice Office, the energy renovation project of the Maó Court building, and the signing of the commitment to buy and sell three plots in Son Pardo (Palma) for the new judicial headquarters.

In the last year, a significant boost has also been given to the construction of flats for affordable rent, with a budget of 12.3 M€ for more than 800 homes on the grounds of the former headquarters of Son Busquets, and the signing of an agreement with the SEPES that will allow the construction of 464 units in Ca n’Escandell (Ibiza) and around 40 in Maó. The strategy on housing is one of the axes of the social action of the State in the Balears, which in 2022 has added about 102 M€. Noteworthy are the 46 M€ of the Dependent Shock Plan or the 22 M€ for care policies.

This investment dynamic has been favoured by the allocation of €1,220 million of European funds to the Balears, and has been accompanied by determined support for the innovation and digitalisation of the Public Administrations, to which €6.6 million have been dedicated in the last year, to strengthen their role in the service of citizens.

Education policies have been another of the pillars of state investment in 2022, with almost €78 million directed to reinforcement programs, support for vulnerable students, digital skills and financing of textbooks, as well as the creation of 806 public and free places in the first cycle of Early Childhood Education, with more than €12 million in budget. Especially significant is the commitment to modernize VET, with a budget of almost €19 million, and the €26 million corresponding to the development of Vocational Training for Employment.

In the field of Public Health, the development of the Inveat Plan, endowed with 13.4 M€, and the creation of the National Health Data Space, with 1 M€, as well as the deployment of a budget of more than 6 M€ for the Primary and Community Care, Oral Health and Mental Health plans stand out. Another key objective, that of the energy transition, has already benefited from an investment plan worth €197 million in this period.

Compromises that are a reliance

The delegate of the Government, Aina Calvo, stressed that “the Government of Spain has been able to transform into reality the commitments made with Balears through active listening, dialogue and joint work with all the administrations”, as evidenced by the achievement of various historical claims, such as the fiscal part of the Special Regime (REIB) or the transfer of competence over Costas, which have become a reality in this legislature.

The delegate also referred to the gratuitousness of the train in Mallorca and the subsidy of 6.5 M€ that “specifically and exceptionally” has subsidised public land transport in Menorca, Eivissa and Formentera in 2022. This is one of the measures to respond to the crisis caused by the Ukrainian war, along with others, such as the aid of 200 euros for families with less income, from which almost 6,000 people have benefited in the archipelago and which has involved an outlay of 1.2 M€ from the state coffers.