Business

Catalan ski slopes attracted thousands of tourists this holiday season. Between the 24th December and the 9th January, heavy snow and pleasant weather conditions ensured an increase in visitors compared to this time last year. Ski-resorts in the Pyrenees contribute greatly to the tourism industry in Catalonia.

The Spanish Vice President for Economy Elena Salgado refused the idea proposed by three Catalan parties to allow mortgage holders end their debt by returning their house to the bank. This measure already exists in the US and other countries. In Spain, a country with a high unemployment rate, many people are not able to afford to pay their mortgage. However, at the moment, debt does not disappear when banks execute mortgages and take away the house. Salgado wants to keep the current system in order not to harm the banks and thus the recovery, but at a high social price.

The annual January sales have commenced in Catalonia with discounts of up to half price. Traders hope to sell between 5 and 10% to make up for December's dramatic decline in consumption.

Gas heater sales have increased by 200% reaching record figures. The new smoking ban has increased the number of bars and restaurants interested in out-door heaters.

Although the unemployment figure dropped 1.868 people in December, the year still ended with 912 more unemployed people than in 2009. The figure of jobless people in Catalonia on 31st December 2010 is 562,673. The annual assessment shows a slight increase of 0.16% in the figure in comparison to the end of 2009.

The company will continue to operate 64 routes and maintain the 4 million annual passengers at the Girona airport.

La Caixa, the first Catalan savings bank, is “open to all opportunities” offered by the new legislation.

Freight will be able to be transported with the same train using the new European-standard railway connecting the Barcelona Harbour to the French network. With the new freight infrastructure, the journey between Barcelona and Lyon will be reduced by 6 hours and will eliminate the extra costs of changing trains in the Pyrenees. Barcelona is thus greater consolidated as the main Mediterranean harbour and as a logistic platform for freight.

The company will open a centre for industrial automation engineering in Reus. The centre is scheduled to open in 2011 and will employ around 30 qualified professionals.

The Christmas season makes up 39% of sales for the cava sector. The sector exports 60% of its production to countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the United States and France.

The delay was attributed to heavy snow in the North of France. It was the first train that a high-speed train crossed the Pyrenees in direction to Paris. The high-speed train route from Barcelona to Paris is expected to be fully completed by 2020. This first train linked the Catalan city of Figueres with Paris, while some passengers came from Barcelona to Figueres in a regular train.

González will contribute to consolidating Gas Natural Fenosa’s international presence, mainly in South America. With this move, the Catalan energy company will gain a figure of international prestige with a large list of contacts. González was Prime Minister of Spain from 1982 to 1996. He leads the Expert Group on the future of Europe and his name was shortlisted to become the first President of the EU.

For the whole of Spain, Autonomous Communities’ public debt represents 10.2% of Spain’s GDP in the 3rd term of 2010. It is the highest it has been since 1990. However, the largest part of the public debt comes from the Spanish Government, which represents 44.1% of Spain’s GDP. Finally, public debt from local public administrations only represented 3.4% of Spain’s GDP. In total, Spain’s public debt represents 57.7% of the country’s GDP, much lower than in the UK, Germany or Ireland.

The main Catalan airport received 15,1% more passengers in November, in comparison with last year. However, Girona and Reus airports are losing passengers.

Fira de Barcelona has just approved a new strategic plan for the next four years. The plan foresees increasing the turnover rate by around 50% and includes taking the Fira de Barcelona brand name to countries around the world.