economy

Corporatejets currently operates charter flights at 3,300 euros an hour, but it is looking to expand its market. The company hopes to begin transoceanic flights for local businesses and executives.

A study from Barcelona?s Chamber of Commerce has detected 11,000 companies that could export their products and services but have not done so yet. In addition, 8,000 companies already do it but are not in a consolidated position.

The Catalan GDP is expected to fall 0.3% in 2010 but grow 0.9% in 2011, according to a study from the savings bank Caixa de Catalunya, Tarragona i Manresa. Exportation, especially in the industry sector, will be the key factor behind the recovery.

The number of companies with losses in the Spanish state grew during the second year of the recession, according to the Spanish Business and Treasury Association (Asset).

The number of travellers at the Barcelona airport grew by 2.2% during the first semester of 2010, registering more than 13 million passengers despite the volcanic ash crisis.

Three Catalan saving banks have merged into a single lender that will close up to 395 branches around Spain. The result of the merger is still without a name.

The two largest Abertis shareholders study the possibility of a leveraged buy-out through the investing firm CVC. The operation is worthy 25 billion euros, according to the Financial Times. La Caixa and ACS own 55% of Abertis.

Catalan construction company Sacresa files for bankruptcy. It will not be able to pay back its total debt of around 1,800 million euros to various financial entities.

The German airline criticises current connections between Barcelona airport terminals and opts to stay in the Balearic Islands.

Catalan sanitary company Roca has been fined 38.7 million euros for participating in a cartel (agreeing on prices competitors) with 16 other sanitary companies for over 12 years. Masco informed the European Commission of the covert operation.

Catalan manufacturers have improved their activity during the first quarter of 2010, a positive trend that depends on the evolution of the debt crisis, says the Secretary for Industry and Business.

While most European airports operate at over-capacity, Barcelona's airport has the potential to 'expand' and reach up to 50 million travellers, according to the industry.

Prime Minister Zapatero needs the votes from other parties to pass his Labour Market reform. Artur Mas, President of the Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Party (CiU) has affirmed today that his party will not block the reform in the Spanish Parliament. Ci

The two main trade unions have announced a general strike against the job market reform planned by the Spanish Government. This reform has been discussed among the trade unions, business associations and the Spanish Government for more than 2 years.

Finn Erling Kydland says new political status would generate financial confidence and attract investment