On July 23, the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new El Higueral logistics, industrial and tertiary sector, located in Vélez-Málaga, next to the A-7 motorway and just a few kilometers from Málaga city. This initiative, considered strategic for the economic development of the Axarquía region, includes the urban development of 121,726 m² of land, with a total estimated investment of over €81 million, and the potential to create up to 1,000 new jobs.
The event was attended by the mayor of Vélez-Málaga, Jesús Lupiáñez Herrera; the president of Sociedad Azucarera Larios (SALSA), Carlos Gutiérrez-Maturana-Larios Altuna, and members of the Compensation Board of landowners, along with representatives of the region’s economic and business community.
Development of Productive Land Along the A-7
The urban project covers a total surface area of 121,726 m², of which 74,425 m² will be allocated to buildable plots for industrial, logistics, and service-related activities. Another 47,301 m² will be assigned to public uses and facilities, distributed as follows:
- Green areas: 12,915 m²
- Public facilities: 6,675 m²
- Roads and technical services: 27,711 m²
The total buildable area for private plots reaches 86,228 m², making this one of the most ambitious developments in the province.
Total Investment Exceeding €81 Million
The urbanization works, with an investment of €12,768,000, are expected to be completed by June 2026. Thanks to the application of the Andalusian Land Sustainability Promotion Law (LISTA), building construction can begin in parallel, allowing businesses to begin operations up to two years earlier.
In addition to the urbanization works, an estimated €68,982,400 will be invested in building construction, bringing the total projected investment to €81,750,400.
Impact on Employment and Business Growth
The project foresees the creation of 620 direct jobs during the construction phase:
- 127 jobs for urbanization works
- 493 jobs for construction
Once operational, the new business area is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs in the region, becoming an economic driver for the Eastern Costa del Sol. This development responds to the high demand for productive land following the full occupancy of the Vélez-Málaga Agro-food Park.
Boost to Local and Sustainable Economy
Carlos Gutiérrez-Maturana-Larios Altuna, president of Sociedad Azucarera Larios, stated:
“The development of the new industrial, logistics and tertiary sector represents a clear commitment to the economic revitalization of the Axarquía region. We are firmly convinced that El Higueral will play a decisive role in attracting investment, creating stable and quality employment, and strengthening a modern, competitive, and sustainable business network. This project is a key step in diversifying the local economy and driving a solid growth model in the medium and long term, complementing SALSA’s investments in the tourism, residential, and agri-food sectors.”
Meanwhile, the mayor of Vélez-Málaga, Jesús Lupiáñez Herrera, emphasized the strategic importance of the project:
“Vélez-Málaga continues to make solid progress in attracting investment, generating employment, and positioning itself as one of the major economic hubs in southern Spain. This project represents a major opportunity for the sustainable development of our city and the entire region. We are grateful to the Compensation Board and to Sociedad Azucarera Larios for their strong commitment to our municipality and for trusting in the potential of Vélez-Málaga to drive growth and modernization.”
