The consellera of Finance and Economy, Ruth Merino, has highlighted that despite the difficulties resulting from the floods on October 29, the macroeconomic outlook for the Valencian Community is «encouraging» and confirms that the Valencian economy «continues to demonstrate its resilience and capacity for recovery.»
Ruth Merino referred to the recent pronouncement of the Independent Fiscal Responsibility Authority (AIReF) endorsing the macroeconomic forecasts for the Valencian Community. This body raises the projected GDP growth for the region to 2.4% for this year, above initial estimates, which, according to the Finance consellera, «confirms that we are facing the recovery process with more momentum than expected.»
The Valencian finance minister made these statements during the opening of ‘The Night of Finance’ within the framework of Forinvest 2025, which this year has been condensed into a single day in congress format following the forced cancellation due to last week’s weather alert. Previously, the consellera inaugurated the event and attended several of the conferences held, as reported by the Generalitat in a statement.
The consellera participated in the presentation of the Forinvest Awards, which recognize excellence and innovation in the Valencian financial and business sector. The event was also attended by the president of the Spanish Banking Association (AEB), Alejandra Kindelán.
The head of Finance indicated that the advances in the Valencian Community «are not only reflected in GDP figures, but also in employment,» adding that the forecasts for this year point to a «stable evolution, with a moderate deceleration after the strong growth of 2024, but maintaining a solid and expanding labor market.»
«These data give us reasons for optimism, with the certainty that we are moving in the right direction. Beyond obstacles, the Valencian Community demonstrates its strength and drive to continue growing, a progress that is due to the joint effort of the Administration and the business fabric to build a competitive environment capable of attracting investment, promoting innovation, and consolidating sustainable development,» Merino pointed out.
### THINKING ABOUT LONG-TERM RECOVERY
The consellera and president of Forinvest emphasized that the Generalitat has implemented a set of urgent measures in response to the flood, focused on «ensuring liquidity and speed so that those affected can trust in getting back on their feet,» through «direct and agile» assistance to those affected, including compensation for damaged vehicles, loans facilitated by the Valencian Institute of Finance (IVF), and guarantees from Afín SGR, as well as specific sectoral aid.
Merino stressed the importance of these immediate economic supports while simultaneously working on a long-term recovery strategy. «We are not content with just surviving; our goal is to move forward, grow, and lead. We have the capacity, the strategy, and the determination to move forward and make ourselves even stronger,» she emphasized.
In this regard, she highlighted the work carried out by the Generalitat «to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles through the Simplify Plan and the Business Channel,» promote «responsible» fiscal policies, and bet on strategic sectors that will allow us to «not only recover pace but accelerate it.»
On the other hand, Merino highlighted Forinvest’s ability to adapt and move forward in any circumstance, as despite the storm initially forcing the event’s suspension.
«If we are here today, it is because Forinvest is the expression of a vision that does not stop in the face of setbacks, it is a reflection of the economy itself: capable of facing unforeseen events, reinventing itself, and emerging even stronger,» emphasized the consellera and president of the event.
### FORINVEST AWARDS
During the event, the Forinvest Awards 2025 were also presented, accolades given annually to professionals who stand out in the fields of business, insurance, technology, and entrepreneurship.
This time, a special recognition was given to the Stock Exchange Studies Foundation for its work in financial education for 35 years, as well as to the Commercial Agents’ Association for its hundred years of existence.
Furthermore, the Forinvest Award went to the president of the Executive Committee of the European Banking Federation, María Abascal; the Business Trajectory Award to Herbolario Navarro; the Business Trajectory Award in the insurance sector to Vicente Cancio; the Innovation Award to Equipe Cerámicas, and the Sustainability Award to V2C.