The CES is the Economics and Social Council. Ultimately a Spanish government consultative body, there are regional councils, the members being drawn from business, unions, the primary sector, consumer associations, and from appointed experts. There is, therefore, a CES in the Balearics, and it has recently issued its 2023 report on the economy, employment and society on the islands.
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Morgan WilliamsYou're right it's a difficult problem to solve, and the local politicians (of all colours) don't seem to have the talent/will to address it.
The problem is, that successful diversification is a bloody difficult thing to do, and in the case of Mallorca, would certainly involve lots of imported talent. In the early 2000's there was a real push for diversification. The Balearic government invested millions in business parks to try to attract high tech, medicine, R&D and other types of business. They gave a few tax breaks for startups. And a few other incentives. But it never really took root. But some things did. Look at the case of Conectabalear. A Manacor based startup that saw an opportunity to deliver internet where nobody else could. They set up WIMAX transmitters on all of the mountaintops and delivered high speed internet to everyone who didn't have access, at competitive prices. Today, they've laid high speed fibre to just about every little village on the island, delivering reliable 600MB+ and 4G/5G mobile phone service at very competitive prices, and most unusually, really outstanding customer service... in English, German, Spanish... They now basically own the internet on Mallorca. That's one success story. The other potentially huge one is the hydrogen plant in Lloseta. Not big now, but it could become huge. Watch that space. The elephant in the room however, is that whatever new business they manage to attract, it will involve a lot of imported talent. And that will put even more pressure on housing. It's already expensive. They'll need to pay their imported talent well. But that's something that needs addressing anyway. Average salaries here are pretty paltry (the root problem really). But then, most of the labour pool isn't exactly highly skilled. The ones that have skills move to other parts of Europe where their talent is in demand and they'll get paid well for it. But if there's an opportunity, maybe they'll return (?). But then, skilled talent can be imported from lots of places. As long as you're paying the going rate. Mallorcan silicon valley? Don't hold your breath. Chicken. Egg. A complex problem with a murky relief. There's no magic wand on this one.