Balearic govt wants to improve Islands' ports without State control

PORT OF PALMA
REGIONAL Environment Minister Miquel Angel Grimalt said yesterday in Palma that it was a question of “key strategy” that the Balearics upgrades its port facilities in order to offer a better transport service for people and businesses based on the Islands, and to develop the boating and water sports industries for tourists.

Responding to questions from the Opposition Partido Popular (PP) during a Parliamentary session yesterday, Grimalt said he backed greater “control” of the regions ports because - he said - they are installations of prime importance for an Island community both in terms of the movement of people and merchandise, and for offering a specialised water sports package to tourists which may help to extend the holiday season. Grimalt said this sector of the holiday industry was increasingly in demand and had established a significant niche in contributing to the Balearic economy. Grimalt said it was therefore necessary to address problems arising at ports around the Islands - a complaint often heard is the lack of moorings at some points during the summer months. In terms of the management of port facilities in the Islands, Grimalt said that he saw no reason for Central Government to be stakeholders in controlling the installations. “It would be contrary to our Regional Statutes which delineate our powers as a self-governing body within Spain,” said Grimalt.