The City Council grants 10% more opening licenses for new establishments so far this year.

More than 200 permits have been granted, which means that every day and a half a business opens in the city, while the existing ones are consolidated.

The economic dynamism allows Estepona to reach a record number of self-employed, with nearly 6,900 members in September.

So far this year, the Estepona City Council has authorized 10% more opening licenses for new establishments in the city than in the same period last year. Specifically, it has given the green light to more than 200 permits, thus consolidating a growth trend that has been experienced in recent years. For the councilor responsible for the area of Commerce, Cristina Cintrano, these data show the growth of the business fabric of Estepona and the variety of alternatives. In this regard, she stressed that the municipal projects developed to enhance the city have managed to boost the local economy and generate a strong economic fabric and opportunities.

The mayor stresses that every day and a half a new business was opened in the town this year, while continuing to consolidate existing ones.

Fruit of this economic dynamism are also the record number of self-employed in the municipality, which only in the last year have grown by 4%, to 6,838. The figure is especially relevant in the comparison since 2011. According to data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, in the last 14 years the number of people affiliated to the self-employed regime in Estepona has grown by 45%.

The economic reactivation of the city is also reflected in the unemployment rate, according to the records released today. Estepona is among the Andalusian municipalities with the lowest unemployment rate, closing last month with the best data for employment in a month of October since 2008.

The Estepona City Council has been working from the area of Commerce with measures to avoid bureaucratic obstacles that may delay the implementation of new business initiatives. Among them is the suppression of the payment of the opening tax for commercial activities classified as innocuous.

In addition, there is a 75 percent discount on the cost of the business opening license fee for groups that are in a situation of vulnerability.

In order to offer greater facilities, interested persons can carry out all the necessary procedures for the opening of a new establishment through the electronic headquarters. On this platform they can also manage appointments with the different municipal departments.