Business

Prices increased by 7 decimals last December. The monthly price increase was of tobacco and transport.

Barcelona-El Prat Airport had 29.1 million passengers, which means that Barcelona’s is Europe’s 9th airport. Girona airport saw a decrease of 8% in passenger traffic and Reus airport one of 16.7%.

The Mobile World Congress will be held in the Catalan capital for the seventh time. It will take place between 14th and 17th of February and will bring have an economic impact of 200 million euros on the city. Visitors are predicted to occupy 30,000 hotel rooms, 25% higher than last year. However, Barcelona could lose the Mobile World Congress’ organisation contract as the current one ends and other cities put forward their candidature.

The tower is located beside the sea in the first number of Diagonal Avenue in the Forum area. It will host the company’s I+D centre and will bring together all the Telefonica offices from around the city.

It is a record figure for the company and represents a 35 percent increase in passengers since 2009. Vueling plans to offer 10.5 million seats for the 2011 summer season, almost 7% more than the same period in 2009. The company plans to open new bases in Amsterdam and Toulouse to foster its international growth.

Catalan ski slopes attracted thousands of tourists this holiday season. Between the 24th December and the 9th January, heavy snow and pleasant weather conditions ensured an increase in visitors compared to this time last year. Ski-resorts in the Pyrenees contribute greatly to the tourism industry in Catalonia.

The Spanish Vice President for Economy Elena Salgado refused the idea proposed by three Catalan parties to allow mortgage holders end their debt by returning their house to the bank. This measure already exists in the US and other countries. In Spain, a country with a high unemployment rate, many people are not able to afford to pay their mortgage. However, at the moment, debt does not disappear when banks execute mortgages and take away the house. Salgado wants to keep the current system in order not to harm the banks and thus the recovery, but at a high social price.

The annual January sales have commenced in Catalonia with discounts of up to half price. Traders hope to sell between 5 and 10% to make up for December's dramatic decline in consumption.

Gas heater sales have increased by 200% reaching record figures. The new smoking ban has increased the number of bars and restaurants interested in out-door heaters.

Although the unemployment figure dropped 1.868 people in December, the year still ended with 912 more unemployed people than in 2009. The figure of jobless people in Catalonia on 31st December 2010 is 562,673. The annual assessment shows a slight increase of 0.16% in the figure in comparison to the end of 2009.

The company will continue to operate 64 routes and maintain the 4 million annual passengers at the Girona airport.

La Caixa, the first Catalan savings bank, is “open to all opportunities” offered by the new legislation.

Freight will be able to be transported with the same train using the new European-standard railway connecting the Barcelona Harbour to the French network. With the new freight infrastructure, the journey between Barcelona and Lyon will be reduced by 6 hours and will eliminate the extra costs of changing trains in the Pyrenees. Barcelona is thus greater consolidated as the main Mediterranean harbour and as a logistic platform for freight.

The company will open a centre for industrial automation engineering in Reus. The centre is scheduled to open in 2011 and will employ around 30 qualified professionals.

The Christmas season makes up 39% of sales for the cava sector. The sector exports 60% of its production to countries such as Germany, England, Belgium, the United States and France.