Flattery weakens, he said jose maria garcia. But the permanent criticism and pessimism also leaves the bravest exhausted. Barcelona has undergone a process of enormous attrition, with a high-voltage debate about a supposed –and real– economic weakening compared to the large cities around it. The independence process, in fact, is explained, in part, by as a reaction to the assumption that the city was losing power in front of the capital of Spain, Madrid. To seek a greater rebalancing, following one of the key opinion notes of the Circle of Economy in a distant 2001 –it was pointed out that the Government favored Madrid as the great economic center of all of Spain— they wanted to understand that a political change was necessary of wingspan

Because that was the reality. The process of losing power, due to many factors – the resignation of an economic elite to play its role – had already begun before the independence process. And, since the independence movement is not the correct answer – rather the opposite – what has happened in recent years is that this economic weight has been falling. What to do then?

Barcelona has been doing what it has to develop for a long time. Which should have stepped up many years ago. A deaf task, with total coordination between the different economic and social resources of the city, to achieve tangible objectives. And that has given results. The role of the Fira de Barcelona has been crucial, with its strategic commitment to expanding the fairgrounds in L’Hospitalet; also to the economic area of ​​Barcelona City Council, and the L’Hospitalet Town Hall itself, the Ministry of Economy and a committed company: Telefónica. Public-private collaboration in all its dimensions.

The fact is that the Mobile World Congress has decided to remain in the city until 2030, with all that this entails, and knowing that all the actors involved that this alternative that appears constantly, the almighty Madrid, has never had any chance.

Barcelona can and should display its pride as a city, but not as a kind of cry typical of a tribe –the great Catalan evil, which is supremacist–but as a way of being in the world to achieve more tangible goals. To demonstrate that the only thing that can go well –there are never, however, all the guarantees- is achieved with collective work, with coordination and with a humble attitude.

The announcement of the GSMA to fix the permanence of the MWC in Barcelona must be valued in its fair measure. It is true that the event has changed, that it is no longer –because the telephony brands themselves move with other concepts and variables– the great technological phenomenon that breaks the mold. But it still has enormous influence. Put the question the other way around: What would have happened if the GSMA had decided to change the scene? without extending the contract with Barcelona? The signs of decline were proclaimed without shame, with the perception that little could be done to take flight.

There are more issues emerging for the future of a great city. But the MWC has been a flagship of Barcelona in recent years, with an international spirit that created expectations to turn the Catalan capital into a great global city. And without looking askance at Madrid, which has other characteristics, with other demands and with other services, those provided by the State.

To this decision we must add the attraction -by the Fira- of the ISE audiovisual fair, an event of vital importance that was based in amsterdamor the America’s Sailing Cup -for 2024- an achievement that is largely due to a private business lobby, Barcelona Global, and which this Monday appointed as new president Maite Barrerareplacing Aurora Cata.

It’s enough? Are there levers that go in the opposite direction, such as the municipal government of Ada Colau, who harshly criticized the MWC when landing in the mayor’s office for not spreading the wealth throughout the city? There are, no doubt. But the strength of that civil society that says it exists is measuredprecisely because of initiatives such as those promoted by the Fira de Barcelona. Show muscle, look for opportunities, stop looking at Madrid and consider that barcelona you have a great future if you work for it. That’s what should count.