In 2008 and 2009, fairs in Catalonia generated 2,372 million euros and 30,000 workers, according to a study by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Despite the crisis, 2009 saw more fairs than 2008, and 441 are already planned for 2011.
The professor of business direction and administration for IESE, Pedro Nueno, assures that conversations between the Catalan Government and the Chinese auto manufacturer Chery are “fully underway”.
The Masella and La Molina ski areas will open their slopes for skiers this weekend. They expect to sell over 2 million ski passes.
The number of new businesses in Catalonia grew 4.7% from August to September, with a total of 843 new businesses around Catalonia. 146 companies closed this September, 12% more than in September of 2009.
Catalonia saw its prices rise by 8 decimals in October, contributing to an annual inflation rate of 2.6%. Prices for apparel and footwear rose by 10.4 points in Catalonia, playing a heavy role in the overall increase of prices.
The Catalan transport infrastructure service company received a net profit of 561 million euros during the first 9 months of 2010. This figure is a 4.2% higher than the same period in 2009.
Gas Natural Fenosa made 4,000 million euros more than in 2009, with a profit of 1,117 million euros.
Unemployment has increased in the service and agricultural sectors. However, it decreased in the industry and construction sectors. Unemployement has increased throughout Catalonia, although Lleida is the most affected province. Unemployment has also increased in the rest of Spain.
The 3rd term (July-September) ended with less people unemployed in Catalonia, concretely 6,700 people less. The unemployment rate has decreased 3 decimals and is now 17.41% of the active population. In addition, Catalonia represents half of all the new jobs created in Spain this term, with 34,500 jobs created. It is the first time in the last year that unemployment has dropped for the whole of Spain.
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.
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.
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.
An increase in consumer spending and exportations means the Catalan economy grew by 0.2% in the second quarter of the year, growing quicker than expected.
The Spanish Ministry of Economy believes that the budget cuts for autonomous communities have nothing to do with the 7.9% cut in the Spanish general budget.
Catalan Minister Marina Geli says that the health industry is “very important”. She presented a report by the Catalan Government that indicates that the Catalan health industry has a Gross Value Added of 9%