Andalusia prepares to face the «Brexit»
Andalusia is in the eye of the 'Brexit hurricane'. The departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union may affect the economy of Andalusia because it is the fourth country that contributes the most to our trade balance. In 2018, it paid 2.281 million euros to acquire Andalusian goods and services, while imports from the autonomous community barely exceeded one billion, which generates a balance in our favor of 1.244 million.
In total, the UK represents 7% of our worldwide sales. Raspberries, strawberries and blueberries from Huelva; the oil from our olive groves; Almeria peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini; and Sherry wines report an annual income in pounds sterling worth more than 350 million euros. But the regional industry also has many interests in the UK. In fact, in 2016 the aeronautical sector became the one with the greatest quantitative weight in our commercial relations with the outgoing partner of the EU.
There are more macroeconomic data that prove the relevance of the United Kingdom to the Andalusian economy. For example: it is the foreign investor that has channeled more direct funds during the last quarter of the century to Andalusia, specifically 1.489 million euros, 13,2% of the total. In addition, it is the main issuing market abroad of tourists to Andalusia. One in four foreigners who visit us is British. And as they usually spend the night and spend more than the average, it is estimated that their impact on Andalusian GDP is equivalent to 1,1%.
Even in the recovery after the economic crisis in the real estate sector, the United Kingdom is having importance. Of every 10 homes that the British buy in Spain, 3 are located in Andalusia. Only during 2017, citizens of the Islands acquired 2.643 residences in our autonomous community.
Finally, there is the Gibraltarian singularity. Due to its energy dependence, we export every year to the Rock as much as to Belgium or the Netherlands: more than one billion euros, while imports barely exceed 4 million, 0,01% of the total. La Roca is, therefore, the basis of the favorable Andalusian trade balance in our relations with the United Kingdom.
Aware of the repercussions that this change will have on the continental map, the Government of Andalusia has anticipated and since September has had the Andalusian Program of Preparedness and Contingency Measures before the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, with 112 initiatives to counteract Brexit.
Information, aid, promotion, alternatives and personalized follow-up are provided to the more than one thousand Andalusian companies that export to the Islands and to all economic sectors and geographical areas of the autonomous community that may be affected. The objective is that Andalusia is as little damaged as possible with the march of the United Kingdom.
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