Andorran councillor urges action to block potential foreign takeover of ski firm Saetde

Enric Dolsa, a minority councillor on the Ordino municipal council, warned Wednesday that control of the snow and ski sector is “the most important issue in the country” and said the government should act firmly if the company Saetde were ever at risk. Speaking on the RNA programme Avui serà un bon dia, hosted by Gabriel Fernández, Dolsa raised the hypothetical possibility that the company managing the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig slopes could fall “into foreign hands.”

“It could happen, hypothetically, that it would go into foreign hands,” he said, adding that Andorra has legal tools to prevent that. Dolsa recalled his role in the General Council leading the expropriation law and said it could be used if necessary: “This law exists. If Andorra — in this case the Government — sees that this cannot be allowed, it declares the company to be of national interest, commissions an appraisal, pays what is due and that’s it. The future of Andorra is worth a lot. It’s a very important engine for the country.”

Dolsa’s remarks follow media reports in mid‑October about a possible sale involving Saetde. At that time the Viladomat family, the majority shareholder, denied any intention to sell their stake, while confirming that the board had commissioned a financial valuation of the company. The valuation was launched after a minority shareholder expressed a wish to sell their holding, but the board also sought an estimate of the majority stake, which fueled rumours of interest from a foreign investment fund.