Infrastructures and Facilities
Industrial Ground
Elche Industrial Park, one of Elche’s most important business centres
Elche’s economic activity has the support of first rate infrastructures. The city has over 7 million m2 of industrial estate, 3 million m2 of which are yet to be developed.
The city has over 7 million m2of industrial estate The importance of industrial activity is reflected in the numerous specialised areas which have been set up in the municipal area, the first of these were the industrial estate in Altabix (123,750m2) and that of Carrús (803,174m2). Later on, the concern and business drive of the people of Elche along with the need to create modern business centres, led the council to create the local business PIMESA, in order to get the Elche Industrial Park project up and running. This is an area of economic growth situated in a strategic position between Elche and Alicante.
Park Boulevard Business CentreWith its first three building phases already complete and covering an area of approximately 1,200,000m2, almost all of which is occupied, the Industrial Park provides over 6,000 jobs. The fourth phase of building is currently under way, which will increase its area to 2 million m2. The total area of the park in the future is anticipated to be 2.7 million m2.
The setting up of Elche Industrial Park solves the need for land for installing all kinds of businesses. What is more, it is a point of reference for drawing in investments in new economic sectors which are diversifying Elche’s business network. Elche Industrial Park is considered a prestigious environment for the installation of industries and services thanks to a modern urbanistic design, with large open spaces, facilities and green areas which give it a more attractive appearance.
To fulfil the needs of companies and make way for new activities Centro de Negocios Bulevar Parque has been set up. It is formed by buildings specially designed for innovative activities in the tertiary sector, where consultancy, technical consultancy, financial centres, professional offices, communication and information technology (C&IT), design, publicity, research and the innovation of products and services are a priority.
The success of Elche Industrial Park has led the council to develop a new area covering 2,300,000 m2 The success of the Elche Industrial Park initiative has led the council to manage the development of a new space for businesses, with an area of 2,300,000 m2, which will satisfy the demands for land destined towards the economic activity which will be generated in the next few years. This will be situated to the north of the city, next to the Camino de Castilla road, with direct access to the new motorway which will join the Mediterranean motorway (AP-7) and the motorway to Madrid. The creation of an industrial estate, with an area of 83,642 m2, is also anticipated for the El Altet district and will likewise contribute to Elche’s economic development.
Although the footwear industry is the city’s main economic activity, agriculture is also an important sector with constant innovations. In order to support the boost of the food industries PIMESA has sponsored the creation of the “Alcudia Food and Agriculture Park” which, with an area of 190,000 m2, has all been sold.
The offer of industrial ground is completed by private companies located next to the N-340 road in both directions, towards Alicante and Crevillente, as well as that established a few decades ago in the Huerta Vizcarra industrial estate, next to the Dolores road. It was here where one of the city’s first industrial enclaves came about, which with the passing of time have become more focussed on services.
Congress CentreIn order to have a complete vision of the possibilities that Elche has to offer to the business world, existing facilities and services must be taken into account. Standing out among these is the Centro de Congresos Ciutat d’Elx, which, since opening in March 2003, has organised almost 200 events, including 15 congresses (the majority of an international nature). Among the events held are conferences, congresses, conventions, exhibitions, etc. It boasts an Auditorium with a 450 person capacity, plus 3 assembly-rooms (for a total of 350 people) as well as offices, auxiliary rooms and an exhibition hall. During the first two years of it being up and running almost 25,000 people visited the Congress Centre.
Alicante Trade Fair InstitutionAnother facility of great relevance for the local and regional economy is Alicante Trade Fair Institution, an exhibition site with over 20,000 m2 dedicated to exhibitions. It is situated in a strategic position, one kilometre from the airport and the AP-7 motorway. More than twenty events are held within its compound every year, among which those of an international nature, linked to the footwear sector, are of particular importance and arouse the interest of buyers from all over the world. IFA will be given a definitive boost with a new project that is to set up an advanced business centre, new exhibition centres, an avant-garde convention centre and a multifunctional building with a capacity for over 1,000 people, within the next few years. This will make the province of Alicante a point of reference for sport, cultural, musical and general leisure circuits, on a national scale.
