Catalonia leads Spain’s exports, representing 25% of the total exportation during the first half of 2013

Barcelona (ACN).- On Thursday, of the Spanish Deputy Minister for Trade, Jaime García Legaz, announced that Catalonia is the “main exporting community” within Spain. While there are seven Autonomous Communities that have experienced an increase in their export levels between January and June, Catalonia represents 24.6% of Spain’s total exports, with a figure of €29.23 billion. During his statement, García Legaz did not confirm the assertion made by the regional Government of Madrid that more than 1,000 Catalonian companies have moved their headquarters to Madrid since 2010. The Deputy Minister for Trade insisted that he lacked “reliable data” on this issue and is therefore “not in a position to make an informed judgement”. There are a total of seven Autonomous Communities that have experienced an increase in export levels. After Catalonia, the highest exporters are the following: Madrid – 13.5% (€16,068 million), Andalucía – 11.9% (€14,153 million), Valencia – 10% (€11,845 million), The Basque Country – 8.7% (€10,388 million), Galicia – 7.5% (€8,845 million) and finally Castile and León – 5.1% (€6,069 million).

Jaime García Legaz stated that all seven communities are experiencing “an expansion of their export base and a very positive evolution of their exports in general”. He noted the importance that this growth exists throughout Spain, “it would be worrying if these export increases were limited to two or three communities with the rest lagging behind”.

Exporting record

On a Spanish level, exports grew by 8% between January and June to a total amount of €118.72 billion. “These figures are a record, never has the Spanish export level been so high”, explained García Legaz.  Spain’s trade deficit has also reduced by 69% compared to last year. In 2012 the trade deficit was €18.64 billion, while this year’s rate was €5.82 billion.

Catalonia also leads the import sector

Catalonia is also the Autonomous Community that has imported the most during the fist half of the year, accounting for 26.6% at more than €33 billion. Although this figure is 7% lower than 2012, the trade balance is still negative with a difference between exports and imports of €3,835 million.