Refinance Catalonia to develop it
Adequate financing for Catalonia is one of the most urgent and relevant issues in the current debate, especially for the business world, which understands that the country's economic and social development directly depends on access to sufficient and well-managed resources. A dynamic economy and a cohesive society depend on ensuring that the necessary resources are managed efficiently and results-oriented.
When we talk about financing, one of the first questions we must ask ourselves is: why do we need these resources? This goes beyond having funds: it is about defining the essential objectives for the progress of Catalonia and how we will achieve them. Which sectors and areas of our society need more attention and resources? What priorities should we set to ensure balanced and sustainable development? How will we know if the resources have been invested appropriately to achieve the desired results? The answers to these questions should lead us to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that allow us to measure the impact of the investment and ensure that the resources are used optimally.
A fundamental aspect of any financing strategy is structuring the distribution of these resources along different axes that directly affect the future development of Catalonia. One of the most relevant axes is competitiveness. Catalonia must ensure that its infrastructure is modern and efficient, both in terms of transportation networks (trains, roads, airports, ports) and telecommunications networks, as well as essential resources such as energy, water, and housing, which are essential for industry and for maintaining a high quality of life for citizens. Only in this way will our region be able to compete at the highest level globally and remain an important economic hub in Europe.
Another fundamental element is innovation and talent. It is essential to improve education at all levels: basic, but also technical, vocational, and university training. Furthermore, it is necessary to foster the creation of an innovation ecosystem where ideas can grow and become concrete solutions to the economic and social challenges we face. In this sense, it is also crucial to attract technological investment and establish alliances with international organizations that can contribute to the economic and social development of Catalonia. But all this must be accompanied by a strong commitment to social cohesion, ensuring the transfer of culture and language, while ensuring that essential public services such as health, social care, security, and justice are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their geographical location.
Proportionate refinancing with the weight of Catalonia
These reflections, focused on the strategic orientation of resources, are of great importance for prioritizing the investments that must be made in Catalonia. Unfortunately, several renowned experts have pointed out that the necessary funding is currently lacking, neither in quantity nor in form.
Therefore, a thorough review and restructuring of the financing system is necessary to ensure that the resources that correspond to Catalonia arrive under the appropriate conditions.
The proposals to achieve this objective are clear and are in line with the logic of equity and social efficiency. One of the fundamental principles must be that of ordinality, which guarantees that the communities that contribute the most to the system are not those that receive the least. This implies that resources must be distributed so that all citizens have access to the same basic public services, regardless of where they live. In particular, it must ensure that per capita disposable household income in the wealthiest communities does not fall below the average of other territories. Furthermore, it is essential to take into account the differences in the cost of living across different territories and implement solidarity mechanisms with clear and defined limits to prevent these mechanisms from being extended indefinitely. And it is no less important to guarantee tax equality in all territories.
However, not only is the amount of resources important, but also how they should be managed. It is not enough to ensure that the money reaches Catalonia; rigorous and responsible management is necessary. This management must be transparent, efficient, and results-oriented. It is essential to promote public-private collaboration, taking advantage of synergies between the public and private sectors to optimize resources and generate a positive impact for society as a whole. Thus, the welfare state will only be sustainable if rights and responsibilities are distributed equitably, which includes, for example, seeking co-payment mechanisms or a review of universal aid to ensure that the system is sustainable in the long term.
Another aspect worth highlighting is the need to orient decisions toward concrete results for the country. Debt should only be accepted if it is used for investment, but the concept of a "deficit" should disappear. In any case, debt for current expenditure should not be an option. What is needed is to ensure that available resources are used for projects with economic and social development returns, to ensure a solid and sustainable future for future generations.
A commitment from all social and economic stakeholders
We are all in the same boat, and only through mutual collaboration and shared responsibility can we achieve the goals we have set. Businesses must commit to using resources more efficiently, investing in higher-value-added projects and promoting productivity. Citizens, for their part, must be sensitive to the importance of public and "free" spending, strengthening awareness of the balance between rights and duties. The political world must guarantee real territorial equity, establish solid agreements, and promote institutional loyalty among political forces. Finally, the public administration must ensure that knowledge and talent are at the foundation of any public policy, identify strategic priorities, and ensure that resources are distributed transparently and efficiently.
This transparency, however, will not be effective until the fiscal balances of all territories are published; making them visible objectifies reality. If we manage to refinance Catalonia, we can build a country with a real ambition for future prosperity, a Catalonia with equal opportunities for development and well-being for all.
