Kissy Chandiramani highlights that the sector already represents 12% of Ceuta's GDP and has generated 1,500 direct jobs thanks to the attraction of 32 operators.
The growth of the online gaming industry in Spain and its impact on the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla are the focus of an extensive report broadcast by Canal Sur. The piece analyzes how both territories have managed to become hubs of attraction for digital operators following Brexit and the closure of commercial borders with Morocco.
In the case of Ceuta, the Councilor for Finance, Kissy Chandiramani, defended the role that the sector is playing within the city's economic transformation strategy.
"Before we talked about commercial traffic and now we talk about digital traffic, which is where we are," stated Chandiramani, who recalled that Ceuta's special tax regime includes discounts on Personal Income Tax (IRPF) and Corporate Tax, in addition to its own tax system based on the IPSI. As she explained, these advantages are linked to the obligation for companies to establish a real presence in the city, generating employment and economic activity.
The councilor also stressed the importance of diversifying the local economy. "52% of the GDP is public administration, and we need to diversify that GDP by generating income in private companies," she pointed out.
32 operators and over 7.5 billion in turnover
Currently, Ceuta is home to 32 companies from the online gaming sector, whose combined turnover exceeds 7.5 billion euros, representing approximately 12% of the city's Gross Domestic Product.
The model promoted by the city requires companies to operate through permanent establishments and prioritize hiring local residents, a condition that has contributed to the creation of around 1,500 direct jobs.
Chandiramani directly linked this development to the shift in the economic model that Ceuta had to face after Morocco closed the El Tarajal border in 2019.
"Through technology and the special regime, we must compensate for this border closure. The Ceuta model changed, and the Ceuta mindset had to change," she affirmed.
Melilla reclaims its pioneering role
The report also includes the perspective of Melilla, where 16 technology companies and around 600 workers linked to the digital and online gaming sector currently operate.
From the Melilla Online Gaming Association, its president, Javier Pérez Escámez, recalled that the first companies in the sector settled in his autonomous city before Ceuta, although he believes that certain political changes subsequently slowed down the arrival of new operators.
For his part, the Vice President of the Melilla Government, Miguel Marín, argued that digitalization constitutes a necessary response to the economic impact caused by the closure of the commercial customs border with Morocco.
La Línea and the missed opportunity
Another prominent figure in the report is Juan Franco, Mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, who points out that it was his municipality that initially proposed the idea of attracting companies affected by Brexit through specific tax incentives. However, the model was ultimately developed in Ceuta and Melilla.
Despite this, Chandiramani advocated for collaboration between territories and left the door open for future joint initiatives.
"I am convinced that if La Línea needs to build a technological hub, we will find common ground because benefits are found in cooperation. I am a firm believer that united we go further," stated Ceuta's Councilor for Finance.
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