The Spanish government says it is “looking for options” for the continuity of Balenciaga Shipyards

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Affairs, Carlos Bodystated on Wednesday in response to a question from EH Bildu in Congress that the Spanish executive is “looking for options” to ensure the continuity of Astilleros Balenciaga in Zumaia (Gipuzkoa) in the face of the risk of closure, although it has called for ‘a viable long-term plan, a realistic plan, and which also allows us to comply with the state aid framework at European level”.

This is how the minister responded to EH Bildu’s deputy: Oscar Matuteduring the government’s scrutiny session in Congress, when asked whether the executive shares the decision of the state-owned company COFIDES to “cause” the closure of these shipyards in Zumaia.

“These shipyards are in a delicate situation, almost on the verge of closure, as their financial restructuring plan has not been successful, leading them to bankruptcy proceedings. In this bad situation it has something to do with itI don’t know if it’s voluntary or involuntary. the Ministry of Economic Affairsbecause it was COFIDES that gave it the finishing touch with a negative report,” Matute explains.

That is why Corpus has defended his ministry’s ‘support’ through COFIDES with the recapitalization instrument launched by the Spanish government to support companies during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, he has acknowledged that this plan was not implemented and the situation has since deteriorated, with him not even paying the interest on the loan.

For this reason, the Corps has said the government is “exploring options to do that.” maximize that survivalthat capacity for long-term viability” of the Balenciaga shipyards, although it has therefore been urged with the help of the rest of the administrations and the rest of the actors involved“In this case, this is not an element that falls under the exclusive responsibility of Cofides. To secure this, we need a viable long-term plan, a realistic plan, which also allows us to comply with the state aid framework at the very last minute. European level,” he condemned.

EH Bildu asks for a solution

Matute, for his part, has accused Corp of ‘steering the ball away’ with his response, asking him ‘what is the alternative to COFIDES’, if he believes it is better for him to close the company than that part of the company to recover. credit, albeit at a more gradual and slower pace.

“We ask you to change your position, to review COFIDES’ position and, of course, to… Look for alternatives together with employees that they keep jobs,” the deputy of the sovereigntist coalition asked Corps.