Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Letter from the President - September 2012

For many the month of August is synonymous with relaxation and recreation, but in AENB we have not ceased to work practically not one single day. For most of the month we have been preparing future meetings of the Council of the Sea of CEOE (The Spanish Confederation of Employers´ Organizations) and the next meetings of the Advisory Council of Palma Boat Show. We have also participated in the board of Maritime Cluster of the Balearic Islands and earlier this month presented a work plan with the deans of the colleges of Naval and Civil Engineers. We have also been in contact with different companies and organizations to prepare our presence in the Barcelona Boat Show.

During these past weeks we have been finalizing the details of a document to be presented shortly by FENIB to the Government, a list that includes proposals to promote the nautical industry in our region, for example a creation of a Working Group of the sector with a purpose to elaborate a plan to improve many aspects of our industry. In short we can offer you more information.

On the 1st of September the increase of VAT was carried out in Spain. We believe that the increase should have been implemented after the end of the tourist season in order to reduce the negative impact. We have always had a lower VAT than the European Union average and this has benefited us. Now that the tax rate has been equalled with that of our neighboring countries nautical entrepreneurs see the future with greater concern. AENB will continue to fight actively to remove all the obstacles that prevent us from recovering the splendor of bygone years. The marine industry endures one of the biggest tax loads in the Spanish state. Port fees, IAE´s (Economic Activity Taxes) that do not take our particularities into account, matriculation taxes that reduce our competitiveness... not to mention the administrative problems and bureaucracy. We are not asking for anything more than being allowed to conduct our business in the best possible manner. So we can create jobs, wealth and contribute to the lengthening of the tourist season with all the benefits that entails. 

At the end of this month one of the most important events on the European calendar will take place: the Barcelona International Boat Show. We've been working a while in order to be able to participate. We haven´t reached the deadline just yet, so we encourage everyone to get in touch with AENB to find out how to participate along with us. As you know, this is the most important show nationally. After the changes presented at the road show passing through Palma (which many of us attended and I think it is not necessary to repeat here) we can state that the direction finally listened to the exhibitors and took their suggestions into account. This gives the Barcelona Show a series of features that will make it much more attractive than the previous editions for exhibitors as well as for visitors and professionals. 

A few days ago we had a meeting with the Popular Party MEP Rosa Estarás. The theme of the meeting was the registration (matriculation) tax. Within short we´ll reach the expiry date of the deadline that the European Commission gave the Spanish Government to amend the registration tax to charter sailing boats from other European Union countries as the tax violates the principle of freedom to provide services as dictated by the EC. We hope that now, after the holidays, the government will catch up and meet its obligations for the good of all. 

In a few weeks time the Monaco International Yacht Show will be held in Port Hercule. This year unfortunately we will have no representation of the islands as the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca cannot assist. However, AENB want to thank them for their tireless efforts over the past eight years that they have attended. Thank you for taking the Balearic nautical sector to the powerful market of Monaco.

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