The Spanish state plans to invest 1.34959 billion euros (£1.18 billion, $1.66 billion) in Catalonia in 2018, according to the proposed budget presented today by treasury minister Cristóbal Montoro in the Congress. This would mean an increase of 200 million euros with respect to 2017, or 17%. Thus, the executive plans to spend 13.3% of its total investment around Spain in Catalonia, whilst Catalonia contributes 19% of Spain's GDP.
Catalonia contributes 19% of Spain's GDP
This means that the state's investment in Catalonia for 2018 will remain well below Catalonia's contribution to Spain's GDP, which reaches 19%. Public works minister Íñigo de la Serna this Tuesday gave a press conference breaking down more details and numbers for the government's plans for this year.
The increase in spending in Spain this year is planned to be 1.665 billion euros of which 196 million are destined for Catalonia, a 17% increase from last year's investment of 1.149 billion euros.
This makes Catalonia the second autonomous community in terms of money received, behind Andalusia, which would receive 1.478 billion (14.6%) if the proposed budget passes. In third place is Madrid with 1.247 billion (12.3%) ahead of Castile and León in fourth, to receive 1.002 billion (9.9%).
Public works
According to the Spanish government's delegate to Catalonia, Enric Millo, the majority of this investment will go to the rail network, namely 55.7% (697 million euros, a 29.9% increase). Of this, 332 million will go towards improving Rodalies infrastructure, a 22.6% increase on 2017. Rodalies are the regional services offered by RENFE, the national operator.
The remaining rail investment will be for works improving rail access to Barcelona's port and airport, development around la Sagrera in the city and construction of the Mediterranean corridor, the collective name for a number of lines planned to transport both goods and passengers along Spain's east coast, linking up into France. Works are to include, for example, adapting existing track to standard gauge, duplicating certain stretches of line.
In terms of roads, an investment of 221 million euros is expected, six million more than 2017, primarily destined for improving safety on the N-240 (from Tarragona in Catalonia to Bilbao) and N-340 (from Barcelona to Cádiz on the Mediterranean coast) as well as compensating the operators of the toll motorways for diversions sending lorries on other routes.
Also included are the necessary funds for the works on the N-II, the Barcelona orbital expressway (B-40) between Olesa and Viladecavalls, the Vallirana turnoff and the connection between the A-2 and AP-7 at Castellbisbal, among others.
The budget similarly sets aside 65.4 million euros for improvements to the Catalan airport (43 million for Barcelona, 11 million for Girona and 2 million for Reus), whilst the ports see investment rise to 208.5 million (109.7 million for Barcelona, 33.7 million for Tarragona).
Montoro asks for help
"It's a budget designed for pensioners, public workers and to better finance fundamental public services", said the minister who made a call to the other parliamentary parties to support the bill to guarantee "the country's economic stability".