By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
The Andalucía minister for culture, Paulino Plata, has urged caution and patience on Ronda over its bids to be declared UNESCO Ciudad Patrimonio de la Humanidad. He was referring to a motion in the Andalucía parliament demanding that the regional government initiate the process necessary for the town of the Tajo to be given this UNESCO status.
Plata told a press conference in Ronda that the drawing up of such applications never took less than three years and were resolved between three and five years. He said the work to prepare Ronda’s application had started very well and there had been no difficulties along this road or obstacles encountered.
However the minister explain these applications were “very complicated” and the fact the town’s name was being put forward was being linked with parties’ campaigns the municipal elections being held in May.
Plata insisted the regional government clearly supported the candidature of Ronda – a town in which the urban and natural scenery was very special – and there is enthusiasm and hope for the application.
Ronda has formed an action group amongst political parties and local associations with heritage groups to work for its candidature for UNESCO status. A petition has also been started to collect signatures in support of the project.
TENSIONS GROW OVER EXPANSION OF CHINESE BUSINESSES
Spanish businesses are becoming very uneasy and angry over the proliferation of Chinese owned shops on the Costa del Sol, Ronda and elsewhere in Spain including Madrid and Barcelona.
The highly decorated Chinese restaurant facades became a familiar feature in the 1980s but now they have been joined by a network of supermarkets, cheap stores and wholesale outlets on industrial estates. They are family run, have the minimum of investment and sell their goods at low prices.
In Málaga province the number of Chinese owned shops has risen from 2,277 in 2005 to 4,591. At the same time the number of Chinese residents has grown from 575 to around 1,800 largely to staff these businesses.
The president of Federación del Comercio in Málaga, Enrique Gil, has observed the Chinese are buying business outlets including cafes, keeping the same appearance, offering the same products and services but vastly undercutting the Spanish businesses trading alongside them.
The federation complains the Chinese businesses do not apply the same employment agreements or working hours and therefore do not compete on an equal footing. There is disquiet amongst the shops in the various town neighbourhoods as each time they look another Chinese shop has opened up.
A new aspect of the Chinese competition is now increasing traders’ alarm. In the past a Chinese shop was very distinctive. Now they are copying their Western counterparts. One example is the arrival of ‘Zara Chino’ where the decoration and products ape the major fashion stores but are of inferior quality and far cheaper.
The federation says ‘Zara Chino’ has yet to arrive in Marbella but there are similar operations with one located by the old cemetery in premises formerly used by a car workshop and tyre business.
All the products sold are low priced and manufactured in Asia but imitate Italian designer bags and shoes along with French and Spanish fashion items and sell for around 30 euros.
One of the families have been in business in Spain for around 16 years. They started off with a Chinese restaurant in Fuengirola, then opened a 100 peseta shop in Marbella before graduating to the textile business.
Like all Asians the families that run these businesses work hard, have a good business sense and are able to set up without having to rely on bank finance because they finance themselves. The problem for Spanish shops at this time of financial crisis is they are seen as having an unfair advantage as they open all hours, do not have to worry about work contracts or minimum wages and are able to access and sell cheap Asian goods at prices that undercut their Iberian competition.
SIGN LANGUAGE
If you live in the Serranía de Ronda and would like to learn sign language for the deaf then you can attend a course being given by professionals from the local health service. It is organized by the Asociación de Personas Sordas de Ronda and it aims to break down the barriers between people, patients and families with members who have hearing difficulties.
HORSE BIDS
Ronda has spent 360,000 euros on creating a municipal horse school and equine therapy centre at its stud farm. The project has been funded by the town hall, Málaga province and the regional government. In May the tenders will be issued for the management of the complex which aims to make equestrian activities and skills more accessible to the public and handicapped.
MURDER EVIDENCE
Thirteen year old María Esther Jiménez was murdered in Arriate on January 20. A 17-year-old youth from the village has been arrested for her murder and between May 6 and 10 the process will start for those required to give evidence before the minors’ prosecutor. The law of minors stipulates an under 18 can only be held for six months before being released.
CLASSIC VISIT
Before Easter the Club Amigos de los Clásicos de Ronda held an event at the Ascari race track with around 50 people with 21 classic vehicles attending. The celebrity cars were put through their paces and then were parked in the paddock for all to admire. The newly formed club intends to hold regular local and regional events for classic cars in Ronda.
OBAMA EFFECT
The visit last August of the US President’s wife Michelle Obama with her daughter to Ronda still bears fruit for the town. Over Easter the councillor for tourism Francisco Cañestro played host to 20 of the top travel agents in the USA. They spent three days in Andalucía on a fact-finding visit anxious to visit Ronda in the footsteps of the First Lady.
RAIN SHELTER
Seven of the brotherhoods were unable to take to the streets of Ronda as their Semana Santa processions were cancelled due to the heavy rains. However the museum dedicated to the town’s fraternities has just been completed and was open for inspection making a useful shelter from the weather. The museum is still empty but answers a 15-year call from the religious groups.
CUTTING IT
Can you cut it? The cutting of the Jamón is a prized skill and will be displayed this year at Ronda’s Feria de Mayo. Champions of the art are the Corbacho family who own Ronda and Marbella’s Casa de Jamón. A national competition will be held on May 15 so if you fancy trying your hand phone 95287159 or 952773488 for entry details.
AZNAR VISIT
The Partido Popular are pulling out all the stops to win Ronda at the local elections. Recently leader Mariano Rajoy visited the town of the Tajo and last week former premier Jose María Aznar and his wife Ana Botella were in Estepona. Although they met all the local PP candidates for mayor Aznar spent time talking about Ronda with mayoral hopeful Mari Paz Fernández.
