Business

The Catalan airline company has added 17 new flight destinations within the last year. It has also kicked off a new and improved customer loyalty programme, ‘Spanair Star’.

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.

80% of Catalan municipalities registered decreases or stock stagnation during the 1st trimester of the year. For the 2nd trimester of the year, Catalonia registered decreases in real estate stock for the first time since 2006.

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.

International passengers increased by 22.6% and passengers within Spain by 11% in comparison to the figures of October 2009. However, these positive figures contradict those of the Girona and Reus airports, where passengers dropped by 4 and 16.5% respectively due to Ryanair’s reduction of flights and its instalment at Barcelona.

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.

The Barcelona International Boat Show begun last weekend and will run until the 14th of November. This year’s exhibit features ecological and sustainable boats.

Criteria CaixaCorp is the holding company of La Caixa savings bank. Criteria had a profit of 1,529 million euros in September. Profits from investments in foreign financial companies increased by 72%

Passenger traffic increased 12.7% and freight traffic 5.66% during the first 9 months of 2010. The Tarragona's harbour has also received good news: its passenger traffic increased 26% and freight traffic 63% for the same period.

Gas Natural Fenosa made 4,000 million euros more than in 2009, with a profit of 1,117 million euros.

Seat will invest 300 million euros in investigation, development and innovation this year, 6 to 7% of its profit. Seat’s ambitious project ‘Forma 0’ aims to create lighter, safer cars.

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 president of the multinational Catalan clothing store Mango, Isak Andic, affirmed, “We are not even at 30% of our capacity. “In 4 years, Mango will be twice what it is now”. Mango currently operates 1,200 stores in 105 countries and hopes to open 400 new establishments in 2011. They plan to become one of the top 3 clothing companies in the world.

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.

The motorbike, made by Rieju, will cost around 4,500 euros. The company hopes to sell 2,500 electric motorbikes in 2011.