Economic Profile: GDP, Tourism, Industry and Trade Trends

Economic Overview

GDP stood at €29,029 and 26,630 (ue24880). Rate increases in 2007 were 3.6%, 3.7% and 2.9%. CPI-adjusted consumption index: 3%, 2.8% and 2.3%. Activity rate: 61%, 58% and 57%. Unemployment rate in 2007: 6.7%; 2008: 11.8%, 14.4% and 8%.

Sectors

The tertiary sector accounts for 65.4%, 67% and 71%. The secondary sector accounts for 22.1%, 17.5% and 20.2%. The primary sector accounts for 1.3%, 2.9% and 1.9%. Workforce: 2.2% and 4.5%; EU: 5.6%. Foreign investment from Europe grew 3.4% (2.5% from the EU).

Commerce

New forms of sales are emerging, including chain franchises, outlets and e-commerce. Retail trade is growing in importance. The sector is dominated by family businesses, with low professionalization, limited implementation and management of sales techniques, and weak commercial associationism. Establishment costs are high.

Tourism

The region attracts 1.5 million tourists thanks to its diverse offer, good climate and cultural heritage. Demand is growing, with increased tourist accommodation and a diversified offer. Air connections are limited, and facilities and professional training need improvement. Tourism remains seasonal and concentrated on the coast, with consolidation needed. Rural and inner-territory tourism is emerging. Visitors come from varied origins, including the EU and England. The aim is to lengthen the seasons, balance the territory, improve infrastructure and increase daily tourist spending.

Finance

Financial instruments, including public banks, private banks and stock markets, channel savings. Around 70% of deposits are held by private institutions.

Industrial Activities

The industrial estate requires optimization of infrastructure and common services. Location factors include the availability of land at low cost, good communications and distribution services, and proximity to service centers. Estates are classified by type: specialized transformation estates for raw materials, semi-industrial and transformation estates, and research, logistics and distribution estates for storage.

Trends

Trends include market opening in Europe and worldwide, selective relocation, and evolution across all sectors, notably metallurgy, machinery, agribusiness and chemicals. Textile dynamics are declining, including clothing manufacturing, leather and footwear. Multinational companies hold 50% of the market, with 3% growth. Clusters form when companies in a specific sector concentrate, and cooperation is key to competitiveness. Construction is developing strongly.

Agriculture

The share of the population employed in agriculture fell from around 50% in the early period, to 15% in 1960, and 2.2% in 2007, reflecting mechanization and intensive techniques. About 30% of the land is cultivated, contributing 1.5% of GDP. Cultivated area has decreased, while irrigated area has increased, and the number and size of farms have changed.

Key Features

• Diversification: continental agriculture, meat, milk, cereals, vineyards and fruit
• Livestock: an important activity
• Farm size: small or medium (around 20 ha)
• Ownership: predominantly family-owned (about 64%), with leases, sharecropping and other arrangements

Main Land Areas

• Forests and pastures (pine, oak and other timber)
• Irrigated land, fruit trees and orchards (plantations and soil improvements)
• Cereals and grains (continental climate, reduced yields)
• Vineyards and dried fruit (reduced production and fragmented land)

Fisheries

The coastline is extensive, with a continental shelf of little depth (0-50 m) and rich biomass. Urban development degrades habitats. Artificial reefs are being developed. Local fishing activity is modernizing. There are 21 fishing ports, and aquaculture is developing.

Research and Knowledge

Human capital is a key factor in economic growth. Indicators include the level of education, R&D spending as a percentage of GDP, training of the population, and innovation efforts in companies, particularly in ICT.

Iron and Steel Industry

The first iron and steel plant was established in 1848. It is now modernizing and must strengthen its connection with the EU through the new treaty, with a 15-20 year horizon.

Port Infrastructure

There are 47 ports, including sports and commercial ports. In 2007, a plan was launched for the port authority, aiming to improve efficiency, enhance capacity and ensure environmental sustainability.