The data of Insular Economic Situation Bulletin of the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife referring to the last quarter of 2021 confirm the recovery of the island’s economy. The rebound in employment or the increase in activity in all sectors of the productive fabric advance the path of recovery. After the disaster caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the trend maintains hope that 2022 will mean “a return to normality” in the economy, tourism and, therefore, employment. This was expressed in harmony by the presidents of the Cabildo, Peter Martinand of the Chamber, Santiago Sesé, during the presentation of the year-end document.
Martin appreciates the good result of the measures adopted to deal with the crisis “Although we must not lower our guard” when remembering that the pandemic is still there and that last December the sixth wave broke the good line that has been resumed later. Martín was accompanied by the island councilor for Employment and Socioeconomic Development, Carmen Luz Baso. Along with Sesé, the general director of the chamber entity, Lola Pérez, attended.
Pedro Martín highlighted the good evolution of consumption and the main economic indicators. He has influenced the recovery of employment, with 18,590 fewer unemployed and 33,140 more employed, up to a total of 397,580. This data is the second in the last eleven years after the 410,000 reached in 2019. The good data in the primary sector stands out. The registrations of companies in social security have also increased which, says Martín, “is a good indicator for the coming months.” There are 1,134 businesses more than a year ago, up to 27,073, still 759 less than before the crisis.
The insular president highlights the Support for the self-employed and SMEs, among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic. “We have helped 6,342 with 7.3 million euros and processed nearly another seven million,” he highlights.
Santiago Sesé, for his part, describes 2021 as a “year of growth” especially the last quarter “due to vaccination and the incipient recovery of tourism.” Everyone agrees in predicting a good summer with the renewed air connectivity and a better winter 2022-2023, high season, “if the forecasts are not distorted by the pandemic or external conflicts such as the one in Ukraine.” Sesé insists on “taking advantage of this moment of economic growth to bet on exciting and innovative projects”. He has highlighted “the great potential of the Island in the creation of sustainable businesses based on the blue and green economy” by taking advantage of resources “efficiently”. It emphasizes betting on renewable and transition energies and praises public-private collaboration.
Minister Baso recalls the “close relationship between both institutions with more than twenty activities”. She points out that this year “we have increased almost 200,000 euros and they add up to 600,000 already from the investment with the Chamber.”
For her part, Lola Pérez has broken down the Bulletin. Her summary is growth of the economy and the labor market on the Island last year. A progressive trend in the recovery with rise and improvement in practically all the indicators of supply and demand and in the set of sectors. The increase in affiliation has been notable in hotels (14.7%), transport (6.5%) and commerce (4.4%). Although the sectors that have recovered, and even overcome, the pre-pandemic (2019) are agriculture, construction and the other services group.
Among the few negative aspects pointed out during the morning is the lack of consistency between the demand for qualified professionals and the scarce offers despite the more than one hundred thousand unemployed. Hence the fundamental importance of training unemployed people or the decisive and complete development of Dual FP for young people.
