Transcription of the interview with José Carlos Francisco, President of Corporation 5, in Notice Diary in order to present his fourth book Canary Islands, the transformation.
\»Jordi Sevilla says in the prologue of José Carlos Francisco's new book that the president of the Provincial Confederation of Businessmen of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (CEOE-Tenerife) is one of those who says: "When I find that something is not working, I look for a different solution."
His fourth book Canarias. The Transformation has just come to light, although it won't be until mid-week when it hits bookstores. DIARIO DE AVISOS already has this copy and has had the opportunity to chat with the author.
Transformed into a writer, Francisco assures that this book is not for “scholars” but for all those who want to reflect on what is happening in the Canary Islands, hence its agile reading. Furthermore, he usually writes when reality “pisses him off.” In this sense, he states that this book is an effusive mix of “anger, worry and hope.” He admits that he is “optimistic” because “The Canary Islands can get out of the crisis and get back on the train of progress, but transforming.” This is a word that Francis repeats ad nauseam in the book. “In 2012 I wrote about the necessary reforms, but in 2013 I have to refer to the need for transformation.”
He is convinced that there is no other way and that the future of the Islands will be based on that single pillar. "The reform is makeup, a botox treatment, cutting your hair or dieting; the transformation I'm betting on would be a sex change."
In the paper, Francisco reflects on the reforms, oil, unemployment, hyperregulation, the REF, education, health, public administration, casinos and even the media crisis. Regarding this last case, he affirms that the written media have had the “obligation” to reinvent themselves due to the decline in advertising, the increase in the cost of paper and the arrival of the technological revolution.
One of his most interesting reflections also refers to the capacity of the Canary Islands to host initiatives such as Las Vegas of Europe. Long before Adelson arrived in Madrid, Francisco defended that the Islands, with 12 million tourists a year, are the best positioned to, in addition to the offer of sun and beach, add a "considerable" infrastructure of casinos, shops and shows. He says in his book that "Las Vegas and Macau have become the playground of America and Asia, respectively. But Europe, "does not have its own" and that is where the Canary Islands "play a fundamental role in becoming the playground of Europeans. The Islands have the best climate and the best hotel offering, but they lack the added attraction of gambling, shows and shopping." To achieve this, Francisco is betting on a change in legislation that, in the Canary Islands, is perfectly viable. According to José Carlos Francisco, opening a resort with these characteristics would all be advantages. The president of the Tenerife employers' association says that the increase in tourists per year, over the usual figure, would be 519,500, of which 113,763 They would stay in the resort-casinos, and 405,737 in other hotel establishments. The increase in tax collection would amount to 102 million euros and 20,660 direct jobs would be created. The annual GDP increase would be 2% and the annual income generation would be 884 million euros.
The proposals
In his book, Francisco proposes several initiatives for economic reactivation. One of them is austerity in public services. At this point, it proposes measures to increase the productivity of public employees, which is 43% lower than that of private sector workers, and talks about establishing measures to increase productivity and making salaries subject to variable remuneration. “So that the best workers earn more and the worst workers less.” “The Canarian public administrations,” says Francisco, “pay their public employees as if we were one of the most well-off communities in Spain, when we are one of the poorest.”
Another austerity measure is to reduce the municipalities of the Canary Islands from 88 to 27, grouped by regions. "The municipalities must merge until they reach a minimum size of 20,000 inhabitants; and in the case of La Gomera and El Hierro, the resulting municipality must be integrated into the Island Council to obtain a single administration in accordance with the population weight."
Regarding transportation, Francisco proposes more efficient and less expensive ports and airports, and a 100% bonus on maritime transportation and also subsidizing 100% of airport taxes in order to increase the number of passengers.
Economic boost
Administrative Simplification. Francisco speaks clearly about repealing the Guidelines Law that negatively conditions the economic growth of the Canary Islands due to excess regulations and, at the same time, simplifying the assignment of powers to each administration.
Education and Health. In this case, he is in favor of outsourcing services in both sectors in order to make them more efficient and reduce costs. In the case of healthcare, Francisco points out that this measure would help a lot to reduce waiting lists and improve the quality of patient treatment.
Reduce contributions. Francisco proposes maintaining public investment, reviewing cadastral valuations (IBI) to rationalize family spending and reducing social security contributions due to job replacements or sick leave. In these cases, the mutual insurance companies must absorb the first 15 days of sick leave.
Oil. We must take advantage of the opportunity of oil exploitation. “It is important not to turn our backs on a future source of generating economic activity, but always with respect for the environment and economic commitment.”\»
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