The CEO of Santander Spain, Ignacio Juliá, conveyed the entity’s support to companies this Tuesday, asking regulators for a regulatory framework that helps their development and does not put obstacles in their way when they need, above all, facilities to face challenges such as that of digitalization, climate change or demographic change that affects everyone. “We need a regulatory framework that thinks more about growth and a balanced and fair playing field. That there are no burdens for companies, so that they invest, innovate and generate quality jobs,” he claimed in his first public intervention after having taken the reins. of Santander Spain as CEO, replacing Ángel Rivera.
His message was conveyed at the “XXVII National Congress of Family Businesses” organized by the IEF together with Banco Santander and KPMG”, where he expressed the bank’s “unequivocal commitment to entrepreneurs” and praised the role that family businesses play in favor of of “economic and social progress”, detailing that they represent 90% of the national business fabric, generate 70% of jobs and their turnover is equivalent to 60% of the GDP.
“Your importance goes far beyond numbers because you are truly an inspiration for many other small and medium-sized companies and an example of how things should be done,” he elaborated, praising his “vocation for permanence,” his “long-term vision.” when you make decisions”, “constant innovation”, and the vocation to “reinvest profits to create a legacy for the future”, together with “greater commitment to the national territories where you carry out your activity”.
“It is not surprising, then, that the 500 largest family businesses in the world grow faster than the average of the world economy or almost double that of advanced economies. Rigor, the culture of effort, the ability to take risks , to innovate, to undertake, to adapt to all economic and social changes, are shared values that summarize your commitment,” he praised.
Next, he explained that companies, in general, like the economy itself, also face challenges such as the adoption of technology, artificial intelligence, demographics, geopolitical uncertainty or climate change, which will require “a lot of investment” on a European scale. “We must find catalysts for private investment so that our companies do not abandon this race,” he claimed in reference to the transformation that the productive fabric is facing and “so that our companies do not fall behind in this global race.” He explained that competitiveness is an issue “of the highest priority for the European Union”, advocating “simplifying the rules, eliminating bureaucracy and procedures and thinking about regulation that favors innovation” to address the challenge.
Favorable taxation and support for the company
Focusing on the Spanish economy, he assessed that “we have been growing above the European Union for four consecutive years,” but “we have to ask ourselves if we are truly taking the necessary measures to ensure that this growth is sustainable.”
In his opinion “we need” the aforementioned regulatory framework “that thinks more about growth and a balanced and fair playing field”, that avoids “burdens” for the company. “We must capitalize on all the opportunities that new technologies offer us to also advance in the knowledge of our clients,” he added, alluding to the need to also push innovation and technological transformation on a national scale.
“Technology opens up many opportunities, but also uncertainties in the future and we will have to be very vigilant, especially in terms of inequality and make sure that we work on the frustration that it generates in part of the population that is left most behind,” he warned, considering it key training so that companies also find the workforce they need.
The banker demanded greater public-private collaboration “to eliminate all the barriers that hinder the growth of companies, such as regulatory and administrative barriers, excess regional and municipal regulations.” “We need a more agile judicial system to help us resolve conflicts faster, an improvement in tax treatment, especially for the reinvestment of profits,” he added. He also called for greater public investment in R&D&I and to promote support for the internalization and attraction of foreign investment.
In this context and with these challenges, he assured that banking will be essential both as a credit provider and for the responsibility of financing activities that are sustainable, providing the support of Santander. “We are determined to accompany you on this path,” he guaranteed.
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