Spanish Mayor Speaks Out About His Fears for Local Economy Following Brexit

THE mayor of San Roque, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, has spoken openly about his fears for the local economy following Brexit based on a recent report produced by the Junta de Andalucia.

There already appears to be a drop in local exports into Gibraltar and the reduction in the value of the pound following the Brexit result has led to a drop in the buying power of Spanish nationals working on the Rock and being paid in sterling.

San Roque and it’s ‘suburbs’ of Alcaidesa and Sotogrande have a very significant percentage of individuals who are resident in Spain but working across the border in Gibraltar, many in well-paid jobs.

The mayor has asked the Spanish government to consider financial assistance to the Campo de Gibraltar and for approval of 111 different budgetary points which would assist the area.

In addition, he fully supports the request of the Chamber of Commerce of the Campo de Gibraltar, which has claimed that the entire region, or at least the town of La Linea de la Concepcion, should be granted a special tax regime to attract new business.

If such action is taken, he believes that companies, who might leave Gibraltar for more attractive EU destinations such as Malta, could instead move into the Campo de Gibraltar and thus enliven the economy.