“I will be in the continuity of my predecessors”. While the economic world fears the tremors of this umpteenth wave of Covid-19, the fifth of the name, Patrick Piedrafita, 62 years old, is convinced that the crises have also “made it possible to measure the usefulness of the chambers of commerce”. The boss ofAirbus SAS Operations, the most powerful of the aeronautical group’s subsidiaries, and which also directs the large aircraft programs (called “wide body”) of the European aircraft manufacturer, is not a novice in the consular world: since 2010, he was already vice-president of the Toulouse CCI, alongside Philippe Robardey.

Digitalization and environmental transition as a priority

It is therefore a great figure in the aeronautical world who takes the helm of the CCI, and who now aspires to “promote the economy and businesses of Haute-Garonne” until 2026. To support their development, the new President wants the chamber to also contribute to “Their transformations”.

He is already setting the course for “two transversal projects” which will mark his term of office: on the one hand, digitization, on the other the transition environmental. On the first point, he would like the CCI to make software and other services available to its members. On the second, the room will be brought to quickly “floor” on the thorny issue of the ZFE, or to “accompany the third metro line”.

And if he is a specialist in aeronautics, President Piedrafita also believes that for the CCI, which is not directly involved in the project, support for the LGV It goes without saying: “Putting Toulouse 3 hours from Paris, that’s obvious.”

A CCI that opens up to new sectors

At the end of the last mandate, and before the sacred union for the elections, voices were raised on the side of the CPME to deplore that the CCI (then more headed by the Medef) “focuses too much on aeronautics” , also calling on the new team to “not forget the trade”. Patrick Piedrafita took care on Friday December 3, 2021 to reassure all facets of the economic world. Already, in the office, he has endeavored to surround himself with local figures of the trade sector, and services. Then, the CCI will “open up more to new sectors, such as the medical sector, for example with the entry of representatives of Pierre Fabre ” among its associate members. Convinced that the actions of the chamber for the world of commerce were not sufficiently perceived by the leaders, the president also undertook to correct “A communication fault”.

The president of Toulouse traders n ° 2

At the end of the last consular elections, for which the list baptized “Essencielles” of Patrick Piedrafita born of the union of Medef and CPME was actually the only one in contention, 65 members were elected. These representatives, among whom are 66% new faces and 42% women, appointed last week the CCI office.

Surrounded by a good part of his team, President Piedrafita presented the eight chosen composing at his side the new office, “which respects the very important balance between the Medef and the CPME”, he insisted.

Note that its first vice-president will be a merchant from downtown Toulouse: the boss of the Toulouse Stylos store, rue d’Alsace-Lorraine. Philippe Leon, in addition, the head of the Federation of traders and artisans of the Pink City, will therefore be number 2 of the CCI. He hears “To carry the voice of the base” alongside the head of Airbus.

Other entrepreneurs, like Bénédicte Vital, who runs a family biscuit factory in Martres-Tolosane, in the Comminges, will also represent the rural regions of Haute-Garonne.

Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Toulouse in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.