Foment del Treball, Catalonia's leading employers' association, reported a staggering €49.542 billion infrastructure investment deficit across Catalonia between 2009 and 2025. This significant shortfall directly impacts the region's economic competitiveness and its citizens' mobility.

Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of Foment del Treball, called this situation "deeply outrageous" and "absolutely intolerable" during the report's presentation on Monday. He warned that the problem would worsen if left uncorrected. "The investment deficit directly affects business competitiveness, citizen mobility, and the ability to grow properly," Sánchez Llibre stated. Lluís Moreno, president of the Official Chamber of Works Contractors of Catalonia (CCOC), additionally urged a "reversal of the culture of non-investment."

Spanish Government's Low Execution Rate

The report, titled 'The Infrastructure Investment Deficit in Catalonia 2009-2025', highlights the Spanish government as the public administration with the lowest execution rate in Catalonia. It completed only 59.5% of its budgeted projects. This contrasts sharply with the Catalan government's 89% execution rate and local entities' 85%. For instance, Adif, the state-owned railway infrastructure manager, executed only 48.6% of its planned works. Renfe, the national rail operator, reached 62.2%.

In 2023, the budgeted investment for the Rodalies commuter rail network infrastructure maintenance was €1.292 billion. However, only €421 million was actually spent. Sánchez Llibre explained that railways, freight transport, and roads face a "worse" investment situation compared to motorways or airports. The employers' association states that Catalonia needs a minimum annual public infrastructure investment of 2.2% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Catalonia's Investment Shortfall

In 2025, the deficit in Catalonia alone was €3.375 billion, representing just 1.2% of GDP. This figure falls well below the European average of 3.3%. Estonia (5.5%), Latvia (5.2%), and Slovenia (4.4%) lead the European Union in infrastructure investment. This aggregated deficit causes delays in many critical infrastructure projects across Catalonia.

Foment del Treball specifically mentioned several key works. These include the new La Sagrera station in Barcelona, the remodelling of Sants station, and Barcelona's third railway tunnel. The connection of the tram network along Diagonal Avenue, a major urban artery, also faces delays. Further regional projects affected are the B-40 orbital road, the duplication of the C-55 road, and the vital Mediterranean Corridor. High-speed rail connections to Girona, Reus, and Barcelona-El Prat airports are also pending.

Calls for Consensus and Future Action

Sánchez Llibre called for "maximum consensus" and "unity" from Salvador Illa's government and all parliamentary groups to address this "disastrous" and "alarming" situation. He stressed the need to claim the investments not made during this period. Foment del Treball's proposals for managing these investments, such as transferring budget and powers to the Catalan government or creating an independent agency, recently failed.

The Investment Consortium, a proposal to manage these funds, was rejected in the Congress of Deputies last week. Junts, PP, and Vox voted against it. Sánchez Llibre noted that the employers' association made a "similar proposal" in 2022. This involved creating a mixed public-private company.

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Originally published by 20 Minutos Barcelona. Read original article.