First fully electric motorbike to be released in Catalonia in 2011
The motorbike, made by Rieju, will cost around 4,500 euros. The company hopes to sell 2,500 electric motorbikes in 2011.
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Catalan family expenditure drops by 3.37% in 2009
Transportation, clothing and footwear are the products that have seen the greatest drop. The family expenditure figures reflect the state of household economies in the context of the economic crisis: high unemployment rates and high levels of private debt.
Catalan Government increases bonds to 2,500 million
As a result of the Catalan Government’s success in bond sales, they have made the decision to increase the overall bond amount to 2,500 million euros. The bonds can be purchased until the 12th of November by private citizens.
Catalonia enjoys mushroom season
The passion for mushrooms among Catalans contributes to economic dynamism in pre-Pyrenees counties such as Berguedà, Bages and Ripollès. Many fairs and festivals are held, as well as especial dishes at the restaurants. Catalonia is one the world’s corners that is more into mushrooms degustation but also search.
European Central Bank: “Catalonia is in a better condition to recover from the crisis than the rest of Spain”
The “export vocation” and “good management of economic, tourism and trade competences” will ease Catalonia’s recovery from the crisis. This is the opinion of José Manuel González-Páramo, member of the European Central Bank’s Executive Board.
Catalan President will not form a new coalition with the opposition, nor with its current allies
The polls foresee a clear defeat for the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), led by the current Catalan President José Montilla, in the coming elections. The polls suggest that the PSC would not be able to reform the current and ruling 3-party coalition and may not be able to form a government at all. This past weekend’s news announced that Montilla would not repeat the ruling 3-party coalition. Today he clarified that a transversal coalition with the main opposition party and the most likely winner of the election, the Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Party (CiU), is also out of question.
Catalan Government bonds massively bought on first day
Today banks and savings banks started selling the treasury bonds announced by the Catalan Government two weeks ago to get cash. On the first day, about 1,000 million euros have been bought. If this pace continues, the bonds will be sold out by next week. The quantity on sale is 1,890 million, which could be increased to 2,500.
Catalan beer receives European recognition
The Salone de Gusto Food Expo begins today in Turin, Italy. The expo will offer Catalan wine tasting paired with cold cut meats and cheeses.
Regional trains in Catalonia to be managed from 1st of January 2011 by Catalan Government
Trains with origins and destinations in Catalonia will be managed by the Catalan Government beginning in 2011. Medium-speed trains (called Avant) are not included. A commission will quantify the cost of the service. The agreement follows what has already been agreed on in the Catalan Statute of Autonomy, approved in 2006.
University of Leipzig begins first Catalan Translation Studies in Germany
The project funded by the Institut Ramon Llull –the institute promoting Catalan language and culture abroad– aims to promote the use of Catalan beyond the areas of Romance Language Studies and Philology.
Celler de Can Roca offers a taste of its cuisine to blood donors
The Celler de Can Roca Restaurant, which owes 3 Michelin stars and has been rated by 5th best restaurant in the world by Restaurant Magazine, participated in the campaign ‘Tinc sang de Sibarita’ (I have Sybarite blood) that aims to promote blood donation.
Catalan candidates participate in the first electoral interview in the world via Twitter
Candidates from all the parties represented in the current Catalan Parliament participated in the pioneer initiative ‘Twittervista’, an interview made by the citizens via Twitter. From the 6 parties, 3 party leaders and 3 other main party figures all on the ballot for the November elections participated. The avalanche of questions caused some technical problems, which were mostly solved.
Moody’s lowers Catalan Government’s long-term debt rating
The UK rating agency stresses that measures to cut public expenditure will have to be accelerated. The recent decision by the Catalan Government to issue bonds to obtain cash have influenced the agency. Moody’s is sticking to its short-term rating and lowers-down the long-term one. The Government will now have more difficulties in getting funding in international markets.
Chefs Ruscalleda and Jubany reveal their secrets at Harvard
The world famous chef Ferran Adrià is directing a symposium at Harvard University this autumn which blends cuisine and chemistry. Catalan cuisine is the pillar of the symposium, which is the first of its genre at the prestigious university. Next week, the chef Carme Ruscalleda, who boasts 3 Michelin stars and the award-winning chef Nandu Jubany will perform their master classes.
Annual inflation rate in Catalonia reached 2.4% last September
These levels have not been recorded since November 2008. However price raises stabilised in relation to August, particularly because of the price decrease of organised trips.