Institut d'Estudis Econòmics Província d'Alacant

The Institut d'Estudis Econòmics Província d'Alacant (INECA), known in Spanish as the Instituto de Estudios Económicos Provincia de Alicante, is a private non-profit organization founded in 2007 by Joaquín Rocamora. Based in the province of Alicante, Spain, it functions as a think tank and the only business lobby group in the region, composed of approximately forty companies and public-private entities. Its stated mission is to defend private initiative and free enterprise within an ordered market, and to add value to data and its interpretation through the generation of ideas and projects that benefit the province. INECA produces economic analyses, reports, and an annual economic yearbook (Anuario Económico) that are considered highly valuable references for understanding the socio-economic situation of Alicante. The organization has been involved in studies on water policy, collaborated on the Strategic Plan for the province of Alicante, and promoted the creation of a free trade zone (Zona Franca) in the Port of Alicante. It has also been active in debates on political corruption and its economic impact on the province's image. Since its founding, INECA has been led by prominent business figures. Joaquín Rocamora served as president until 2015, and Perfecto Palacio was elected president in 2015. The organization has established partnerships, including a 2018 collaboration with CaixaBank. Through its reports, events, and advocacy, INECA aims to influence economic policy and promote the competitiveness of Alicante both nationally and in Europe.

The Institut d'Estudis Econòmics Província d'Alacant (INECA) was founded in 2007 by Joaquín Rocamora, who served as its president until 2015. From its inception, INECA was conceived as a private non-profit organization bringing together entrepreneurs and public-private entities committed to the province of Alicante. Its founding principles included the defense of private initiative and free enterprise within an ordered market, and the belief that rigorous analysis of socio-economic data could drive positive change for the territory and its citizens. During its early years, INECA established itself as a reference for economic analysis in the province. It produced reports that were considered highly valuable, promoted studies on water policy, and collaborated in the elaboration of the Strategic Plan for the province of Alicante. The organization also joined the critical stance of José Enrique Garrigós, then president of the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, against political corruption in the province. This stance reportedly upset officials of the Partido Popular, including Sonia Castedo, who believed that highlighting corruption harmed the province's image and, by extension, its economic standing. In 2015, Perfecto Palacio was elected president of INECA, unanimously chosen as the only candidate in the elections. That same year, the president signed an agreement with the Diputación de Alicante, represented by César Sánchez, titled "Acciones de regeneración del tejido empresarial de la provincia de Alicante: zona franca para la provincia de Alicante." The agreement aimed to study the feasibility of a free trade zone at the Port of Alicante. As a result of an INECA report, the Diputación de Alicante promoted the so-called Zona Franca, a geoeconomic delimitation. In 2018, INECA began a collaboration with CaixaBank, further extending its network of partnerships. The organization has continued to publish its annual economic yearbook and other reports, and remains an active voice in debates on employment, wages, inflation, housing, and European competitiveness for the province of Alicante.

• 2018

  Collaboration with CaixaBank initiated.

• 2015

  Perfecto Palacio elected president; agreement signed with Diputación de Alicante to study a free trade zone.

• 2007

  INECA founded by Joaquín Rocamora.

Private non-profit think tank and business lobby defending private initiative and free enterprise in the province of Alicante.

• Anuario Económico de INECA

  Annual economic yearbook providing analysis of the province of Alicante.

• Informe Económico de la Provincia de Alicante

  Regular economic report on the province.

1. 1Inicio - Instituto de Estudios Económicos Provincia de Alicanteineca-alicante.es
2. 2Institut d'Estudis Econòmics Província d'Alacant - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Institut d'Estudis Econòmics Província d'Alacant - Viquipèdiaca.wikipedia.org