The industrial sector in the Canary Islands has registered a positive evolution in the second quarter of the year, with a 4.5% increase in production, a figure higher than the national average of 2.9%. This progress, reflected in the Industry Sectoral Bulletin prepared by the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has also manifested in an increase in Social Security affiliations and improved business confidence.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Santiago Sesé, highlighted the strategic role of industry in diversifying the Canarian economy, generating added value, and creating qualified employment. However, he pointed out the need to advance measures that facilitate investment and reduce the surcharges affecting companies to consolidate this positive trend.
The Industrial Production Index (IPI) saw a year-on-year average increase of 4.5% between April and June, driven mainly by intermediate goods (15.9%), capital goods (12.2%), durable consumer goods (4.6%), and energy (3.1%).
In the labor market, average Social Security affiliation in the industrial sector grew by 4.5% year-on-year, adding 1,871 more affiliates. Registered unemployment decreased by 237 people, representing a 4.3% reduction.
The Business Confidence Indicator recorded the largest increase among all economic sectors, with a quarterly rise of 4.2%. Furthermore, 23% of industrial companies anticipate improving their activity in the third quarter.
Despite the improvement, the report highlights persistent difficulties, such as the 8.6% increase in industrial prices, largely due to the rise in energy costs (13.1%), which exert significant pressure on production costs.
The collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Industrialists of the Canary Islands (Asinca), represented by their presidents Santiago Sesé and Jorge Escuder, has been strengthened to address these challenges. Both entities agreed on the urgency of diversifying energy sources and reducing companies' energy bills.
During the meeting, other strategic issues were identified, such as streamlining administrative procedures, ensuring the availability of industrial land for new investments, and improving transport infrastructure, which is crucial given the island's geography.
The importance of defending the specificities of the Canary Islands as an outermost region was emphasized, and an agreement was reached to enhance collaboration for the internationalization of industrial companies, leveraging the Chamber's network.
Santiago Sesé concluded by emphasizing that strengthening industry is essential for the entire Canarian economy, fostering an environment conducive to investment, innovation, and the growth of a sector poised to play an increasingly significant role in diversifying the Archipelago's productive model.
