María Jesús Lorente Ozcáriz has begun her second term as president of CEPYME Aragón for the 2026-2030 period, following a consensus candidacy backed by the three regional organizations. At the proclamation ceremony, held on November 9, she identified among her priorities the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the major investments announced in the region, the adoption of innovation by smaller businesses, and productivity improvements.
The business leader championed social dialogue as a tool for fostering confidence and stability in economic activity. She described it as one of Aragón’s greatest intangible assets and called for small-business representatives to have a voice in decisions shaping their future. Her remarks also emphasized the need to maintain cooperation between business organizations and institutions, even where their positions differ.
Access to investment and adaptation by small businesses
One of the challenges identified by Lorente is ensuring that new investment flowing into Aragón translates into opportunities for SMEs across its three provinces. To achieve this, she said it was necessary to facilitate the integration of local companies into the value chains of major projects, extend digitalization and artificial intelligence to businesses with fewer resources, and improve the alignment between training and hiring needs.
The president of CEPYME Aragón also identified generational succession as a challenge to the continuity of viable businesses and the preservation of jobs, particularly in rural areas. Her demands include cutting administrative red tape and strengthening legal certainty, measures she considers necessary to allow companies to devote more resources to investment, growth, and competitiveness.
Talent, housing, and social dialogue
Attracting professionals and access to housing are among the concerns the organization intends to raise during the new term. Lorente linked Aragón’s ability to capitalize on its economic growth to the availability of skilled workers, attractive career opportunities, and conditions that enable young people to build their careers in the region.
During the event, CEPYME President Ángela de Miguel also referred to the general strike called for November 11 and warned of its potential economic effects on SMEs and self-employed workers. The organization stressed that small businesses face difficulties in accessing housing and other costs without having the same resources as large companies to cushion a decline in activity.
Source: CEPYME Aragón, information from the November 9, 2026 proclamation ceremony.
