Business

Information published by the Catalan Ministry of Public Works shows that real estate transcations went down 22% in the third trimester after 3 trimesters of consecutive increases.

Catalan Christmas tree growers have been greatly affected by the crisis, with an almost 50% sales drop in recent years. Growers hope that exporting Christmas trees to countries like France and Portugal will help them come out of the crisis.

During this week’s Puríssima holiday, most tourist accommodations saw 85% occupancy. The Girona counties of Cerdanya and Ripollès experienced the best results, with sold-out occupancy, 20 points higher occupancy than last year.

The international trade fair on old vehicles is one of the most important in Europe. According to Fermín Sulé, the President of 'Auto Retro, the trade fair 'widely' exceeded the expected number of vehicle sales.

The Japanese company rejects the candidacy of its Catalonia factory for manufacturing the new car because it is not 'competitive'. The deputy CEO of Nissan in Spain blames the unions for not accepting new labour conditions which would have accommodated Nissan's interests.

The decrease in the number of jobless has been fuelled by an improvement in the industrial and construction sectors. In Spain, unemployment has risen to more than 4 million people.

The Spanish President confirms the privatisation of El Prat airport, in Barcelona, and the Barajas airport, in Madrid. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero aims to reduce the deficit by selling 49% of AENA’s assets. AENA is the public company that manages Spanish airports

The Spanish car company expects sales to fall by 50% this year. Seat will create 750 jobs in the country for the fabrication of the Audi Q3

The 'Business Startup Show' in London includes an exhibitor from the Barcelona City Council where visitors can get information about the benefits of investing and opening a company in the Catalan Capital

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 company will partner with Spanair to offer direct flights to Sao Paulo starting in 2011. Singapore Airlines hopes to offer more direct flights from Barcelona to other South American capitals in the near future, announce its Executive Vice President of the airline.

Madrid-based professionals are paid 2.24% more than in Catalonia and 20% more than in València. Catalonia’s salaries decreased, after having reached salary parity with Madrid in practical terms. The crisis has stopped salary convergence throughout Spain.

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.

A Catalan company offers daily delivery of healthy and fresh vegetables harvested from the orchards to the big cities of Barcelona and Madrid. The family Barrabeig and Barraquer has found a niche market in the agricultural sector.