The sub-delegate of the Government, José María Martín, has held a meeting with the president of the Marble Association, Jesús Posadas and members of the board of directors, to «detect their problems and needs». The Andalusian MP Juan Antonio Lorenzo also took part in the meeting.
Martín highlighted the importance of the sector, which in the marble region is made up of 250 firms. Exports of natural stone and compact surfaces from Almeria exceeded 500 million euros in the first eight months of 2021. Andalusia is also the region with the highest number of companies dedicated to natural stone, with almost half of them located in Macael, 44% of the total.
The marble entrepreneurs have expressed the difficulties caused by the rise in energy and fuel costs. In this regard, the sub-delegate has recalled all the lines of aid promoted by the Government of Spain, including the bonus of 20 cents per litre of fuel and a line of guarantees for ICO credits endowed with 10,000 million euros, to ensure access to liquidity for companies affected by the increase in energy costs.
The sub-delegate has pledged to continue working to improve the energy competitiveness of the sector and has taken note of the demands of the Association of Marble Entrepreneurs.