07/12/2012 00:00
TW
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Palma.—The Balearic government has already been told by local economists that the Balearic tourist industry needs to be remodelled in order to fend off stiff competition from emerging destinations and yesterday, local captains of industry had some more words of advice.

The Balearic Confederation of Businesses Associations' Commission for Transport and Industry urged the government to base its regional economic growth strategy on industry, energy and transport in order to improve the Balearics' competitive ability.

According to the Confederation, the document submitted to the government yesterday has the full support of over 30 of the region's top businesses.
The President of the Commission for Transport and Industry, Jaume Fornes, said that the government has to be drawing up a sustainable economic model for the Balearics which will involve scientific and technological development.

Fornes said that the Balearics is also going to need an eco-friendly power structure which will be able to guarantee a sustainable energy supply while encouraging economic growth and protecting the environment.

Economic crisis
Fornes believes that, under the current economic crisis, the alternative energy sector needs to be expanded because it is a growth industry while in turn is easy on the environment.

But, in order for the Balearic government to adopt a new approach to economic and industrial growth for the future and possibly creating a market which will be able to run in tandem with tourism and ease the Balearics'' dependence on holiday makers, a new technology centre has got to be built where the emphasis can be placed on developing sustainable, efficient and renewable energies.

With the current centre right Partido Popular government more inclined to revert to the old private investment build, build, build approach, the attitude from the local business community, which also champions a greater role from the general public and more public consultation, will come as a bit of a surprise.