The Plenary of the Free Trade Zone of Cádiz approved last Friday two financial operations that will allow the Consortium to substantially improve the conditions of part of its credit portfolio and reduce the institution's total debt by 12 million euros, with an annual saving in financial expenses estimated at 490,000 euros.
The first operation consists of the novation of a loan of 7 million euros that the Consortium maintains with banking entities. The modification replaces the previous interest rate —Euribor for one year plus a differential of 2.9%, which placed the effective cost at 5.04%— with a fixed rate of 2.62% applicable until the operation's maturity.
The second approved action is the partial amortization of 12 million euros on a bullet loan —also known as an American loan, where only interest is paid periodically and the principal is paid back in full at maturity— whose outstanding capital amounted to 70 million euros. Following this amortization, the outstanding balance remains at 58 million euros.
Both operations are part of the financial recovery strategy implemented since 2020, when Fran González took over the State Delegation in the Free Trade Zone. Over these six years, the execution of a self-imposed viability plan has allowed for a progressive redirection of the institution's economic situation.
The figures illustrate the magnitude of this process. The total debt of the Consortium has decreased from 190 million euros in 2019 to 75.5 million currently, which means a reduction of over 60%. In parallel, net worth has increased from 72 to 163.2 million euros in five years, while revenue has recorded an increase of 17% in the same period.
At the end of the 2025 fiscal year, presented on March 31 within the legal deadline, the Free Trade Zone of Cádiz reported profits of 6.1 million euros, three times the 1.9 million obtained in 2024. This is the second consecutive positive result after thirteen years of consecutive losses.
The delegate of the Free Trade Zone of Cádiz, Fran González, has stated "the importance of continuing to maintain constant work for the financial recovery of the institution, as has been done for the past six years, with the successful achievement of the viability plan."
"It is a milestone and a satisfaction that the Consortium has reduced its total debt by more than 60% in just over six years, not only because it speaks to the management we are doing, but also because it demonstrates that it is a viable entity, deserving of the trust of financial entities, and yielding positive economic results," González stated, who defined the Free Trade Zone as "a catalyst for opportunities" that allows "to continue facing the progress of ongoing initiatives with optimism."
