Port accessPIPE (the Platform for Investment in Spanish Ports), an association which comprises the most relevant business groups of the port sector, held its board meeting at the headquarters of the Port Authority of Bilbao, in keeping with its policy of having itinerant meetings in the different Spanish ports.
The aim of such meetings is to know first-hand the problems and needs of each Port Authority, and to bring each of them closer to PIPE members’ views.
PIPE revealed its route map to Port Authority Chairman Ricardo Barkala and his management team, thus sharing their views on the port model.
In addition, PIPE wanted to share its reflexions on the analysis carried out during the last year with a view to contributing to the improvement in the port system’s competitiveness, and consequently in the development of the Spanish economy.
So, the PIPE proposal is to continue working along two lines: a mid-term one reflecting on the present port model, and one short term enabling the development of the port system to be transferred to the real economy that would involve reducing port taxes. This would suppose a positive impact in terms of GDP and create employment, as well as bringing about traffic increases and exports due to the reduction in costs as goods pass through the ports.
Jose Luis Almazán, the PIPE executive Vice Chairman, maintains that “ports revitalise the economy and facilitate the development of the industrial network. To improve its competitiveness and reduce its costs would suppose improving the
competitiveness of exporting and importing companies when reducing their costs in these operations.”
PIPE expressed its gratitude to the Port of Bilbao, and most especially for its predisposition to listen to the lines being worked along, as Bilbao is one of the most dynamic ports in Spain, where a fair number of the companies and terminal operators work are members of the Association.
