Spain’s Economic Development Minister,Ana Pastor, has announced a 5% reduction in port tariffs, which will be applied to all vessels making use of port infrastructure. She stressed that in the first half of 2013 exports at national ports had risen by as much as 9.7% and that 70% of all external commerce is undertaken by sea, with ports accounting for €9 billion of GDP. The cut in rates is expected to make Spanish ports even more competitive, although will have an impact on companies of around €45–€50 million.