Alt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès OrientalAlt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès Oriental
CA|ES|EN
Diari de Catalunya logo

Diari de Catalunya

ERC and Government Negotiate Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium with Catalan Majority

The agreement aims for the Generalitat and Barcelona City Council to gain majority control of the entity, currently state-dominated.

Generic image of a negotiation table with documents.
IA

Generic image of a negotiation table with documents.

ERC and the Catalan Government are negotiating a deal to grant majority control of the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium to the Generalitat and City Council, shifting from current state dominance.

Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) is close to reaching an agreement with the Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya (PSC) to alter the composition of the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB). The primary objective is for the Generalitat de Catalunya and Barcelona City Council to secure a majority position in the governing body, representing a step forward in sovereignty for Catalonia. This agreement is one of the conditions ERC is setting to support the Government's budget, currently under negotiation between the socialists and republicans, with plans for approval before next July.
According to sources close to the negotiations, ERC's specific proposal involves the Catalan representation (Generalitat and City Council) holding 55% of the votes in the Consortium's governing body. The Spanish State, which currently holds majority control, would retain approximately 45%. ERC views this change as the "gain in sovereignty" necessary to endorse the regional government's finances.
The Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium is a public entity affiliated with the Spanish Ministry of Finance. It manages a vast area of six million square meters, hosting operations for over 300 companies, and reported a net worth of 654.7 million euros as of 2024. Its core activities are centered in the Industrial Estate of the Free Trade Zone, a strategic area in Barcelona covering 6% of the city's land, located between the Port, El Prat Airport, and Mercabarna.
Currently, the presidency of the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium is held by the Mayor of Barcelona, but the majority governance rests with the State. Pere Navarro serves as vice-president as the State's special delegate. The entity's aim is to drive economic development in the Catalan capital and its metropolitan area.

Related News