The Plenary of the Cabildo approved this Thursday a modification of credit destined to strengthen the commercial fabric of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, through the reinforcement of subsidies aimed at boosting the sector. Specifically, the Commerce Area seals an increase of 100,000 euros in the subsidy to the program "Felapyme Consume 2025", which thus has a total allocation of 500,000 euros. In addition, a new line of subsidies is created to the town councils of the island, for a global amount of 171,100 euros that is destined to the commercial dynamization in the different municipalities.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, has affirmed that "this injection of 271,100 euros not only supposes a concrete support to the program 'Felapyme Consume 2025' and to the municipal initiatives of dynamization, but reflects our will to protect the local commerce against the current challenges".
Commerce, especially retail, continues to be one of the main generators of employment in Lanzarote and La Graciosa. "However," says the Minister of Commerce, Armando Santana, "it faces increasing challenges such as competition from large shopping centers and the rise of e-commerce, factors that have reduced its prominence and consumer loyalty. Here in Lanzarote, traditional commerce has historically played a fundamental role in the local economy, but its weight has been diminished by these changes in consumption habits."
Aware of this reality, the Cabildo de Lanzarote has defined as priority objectives to reactivate demand and promote consumption in local commerce, as well as to promote generational change in traditional businesses. It also promotes support for entrepreneurship and commercial innovation, reinforcing the connection between commerce and tourism, boosting open commercial areas and increasing their competitiveness against digital commerce.
"Commerce not only represents employment and economic activity; it also brings life to our streets and closeness," says the counselor. "With these measures we want to give a new impulse to a strategic sector for the future of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, reinforcing our commitment to a balanced and sustainable economic development where local commerce continues to be the protagonist", said Armando Santana.
