This meeting underlines the importance of collaboration between the industry and the government to ensure the development and competitiveness of one of the key pillars of the national economy.
On 7th March, a meeting was held between representatives of Mafex and the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Oscar Puente, in order to address the challenges and opportunities faced by the railway sector in Spain and the key role of the industry. This meeting underlines the importance of collaboration between the industry and the government to ensure the development and competitiveness of one of the key pillars of the national economy.
During the meeting, Mafex, represented by its President Víctor Ruiz, the First Vice-President Mª Concepción Ortega, the Secretary Jaime Hernani, and the General Director Pedro Fortea, presented a series of key points to improve the competitiveness of the Spanish railway industry, both nationally and internationally.
Emphasis was placed on the need for Spain to have a stable and constant investment plan that allows companies to scale up properly, and to innovate and face global challenges more robustly.
Another point highlighted by Mafex was the improvement of competitiveness. The economic crisis, the pandemic, and conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have recently impacted prices and supply chains, affecting both large companies and smaller suppliers.
There was also discussion about the importance of balancing sustainability as a key factor of competitiveness and the industry’s commitment to this global challenge.
The increase in freight railway transport was another central topic. Currently, the volume of freight railway transport in Spain is very low, which represents a competitive disadvantage for the country. Mafex defended a greater participation of the railway as the backbone of intermodality and to contribute decisively to the decarbonisation of transport and its competitiveness.
The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Oscar Puente, acknowledged the solid international reputation of the Spanish railway system and of our industry. In addition, he conveyed his Ministry’s commitment to increase freight railway transport in line with the EU’s commitments. To do so, he outlined the main areas of investment that are currently being undertaken: connectivity with ports, railway highways and the Atlantic and Mediterranean corridors. Thus, port connectivity and railway highways are key elements in its strategy.
Likewise, the Ministry conveyed its commitment to continue supporting the Spanish railway industry and Mafex in its international activity.
