The First Vice President and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, will travel this Monday to Ceuta to address the necessary economic support for the city as a consequence of the initial migration crisis at the end of July.
Cuerpo plans to hold working meetings with the Government of the autonomous city, business associations, social agents, and companies with the aim of supporting Ceuta, not only from a humanitarian and security perspective but also economically, according to sources from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business.
The Executive is working on an economic reactivation plan for the city, the amount of which is not yet finalized and seeks to address the impact of the crisis on sectors such as commerce and tourism.
Among the initial estimates managed by the Government are at least 15 million euros to reactivate commerce, through tax cuts, reductions in Social Security contributions, and direct aid to compensate for lost profits during the crisis period.
The plan will also include measures to boost tourism and new aid for an ongoing project that uses desalinated water in Ceuta. Most of the resources will likely be provided through various decrees over the coming weeks, rather than being concentrated in the first Council of Ministers after the summer break, scheduled for August 25.
Meanwhile, the Government will approve this Tuesday a fund of 25 million euros to assist the minors of Ceuta, which will finance the transfer of 500 minors to the Peninsula. The Executive had already activated another six million euros to address the humanitarian emergency and plans to enable more funds to assist immigrants.
The Government’s response to the crisis is also complemented by measures in security and justice. The Executive intends to permanently maintain the reinforcements of the National Police and Civil Guard deployed in the city, with 330 additional police officers and 240 civil guards, reaching a total of 1,659 personnel from the State security forces and bodies.
Likewise, work is underway on a more stable solution to strengthen border protection in the water, after the installation of a floating barrier as a temporary measure, and on strengthening the judicial system in response to the increase in expulsion processes and asylum requests.
