Organyà Industrial Park Advances as Andorran Business Expansion Hub

Organyà's industrial park project is progressing with access roads and basic services now nearing completion, as the site emerges as a potential expansion option for Andorran businesses facing acute land shortages.

Work on connecting the park to the C-14 road and installing lighting and water supplies marks the initial phase, covering about 50,000 square metres of the 34-hectare site. Parcel preparation is slated for this year, led by the Institut Català del Sòl (Incasòl), which owns the land. Organyà's mayor, Celesti Vilà, highlighted lighting as the biggest challenge due to insufficient power capacity, but a forthcoming works meeting will push efforts forward. Pricing for land sales or leases—set by Incasòl—remains a key factor for uptake.

The momentum built on a June announcement by Catalan president Salvador Illa and Andorran head of government Xavier Espot during Illa's first official visit, when they floated the park as an off-shore hub for Principat firms. Andorran business groups, including the Confederació Empresarial Andorrana (CEA) and the Chamber of Commerce, view it as vital relief for expansion constraints. Local companies struggle to grow, while foreign investors often balk at the lack of suitable space.

CEA president Gerard Cadena envisions a "special Pyrenean economic area" with low-tax incentives, benefiting both Andorra and depopulating Catalan zones like Organyà, where Vilà hopes to attract residents. He cited Alpine models spanning seven countries—including EU and non-EU states—as inspiration, noting Andorra's association agreement with Brussels could ease cooperation and funding.

Chamber of Commerce president Josep Maria Mas stressed the need for "affordable" costs, ideally matching Andorran levels, though no fiscal details or timelines have been discussed. Espot had previously said firms would only engage if conditions mirrored those in the Principat. A French alternative near Merens lags further behind, per business leaders.

While construction advances, the project's appeal for Andorran enterprises hinges on securing a differentiated regime amid negotiations involving Andorra, Barcelona, and Madrid.