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.

Catalan President José Montilla asks for 'solidarity and cooperation' with the Spanish Government in the economic system reform and the labour market. Catalonia represents almost 20% of Spain GDP and it is its main export centre.

President of Spanair offers first year results at new Terminal T1 at El Prat airport. The single hub policy at Catalan capital has led to an increase in the number of passengers over the last year

Lawyer Roberto Oronti's project to begin in July on Facebook and other social networks

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

The Catalan savings bank Caixa Laietana has finally decided to participate in the merger led by Caja Madrid. This merger would allow all the savings banks to keep their names as separate brands.

According to the Spanish statistics institute, annual inflation in Spain is fixed at 1.8% and prices have risen in May in the same proportion than in Catalonia, 3 decimals. The subjacent inflation in Spain has abandoned its negative sign and is set at 0.2

The first Catalan private bank is coming to an agreement to merge with Banco Guipuzcoano, from the Basque Country. Banc Sabadell would absorb the Basque bank through an exchange of actions. If the merging comes to an end, it will be the first merging of 2

The 3.4 billion dollar purchase of Talecris Biotherapeutics will allow Grifols to occupy third spot in the US. Grifols already leads the production in Europe. While the operation will generate millions of euros, it is expected to raise Grifols? immediate

This measure is part of a plan to cut the public deficit at all levels of government. It has passed with the only positive votes from the parties in the Government´s Left-Wing coalition.

The Catalan Government wants to reach an agreement with Andorra for future development of the project. Only small-sized planes can currently land. However, with a further investment, medium-sized planes could operate out of the Catalan Pyrenees.

Research and Development in Catalonia is on the good track but still presents important weaknesses to be solved. The Catalan Government stresses the strengths underlined in the OECD study and says that the report is in line with its own action plan.

Ramon Tremosa stresses the ?strategic importance of the Mediterranean railway corridor for Catalonia and Europe? for passengers and freight. The Spanish Government has given priority to other projects connecting Madrid with Spain?s South and West.

In the rest of Spain, unemployment has decreased 1.84% in the last month. However, both Catalan and Spanish figures remain at highest rates of the last decade: about 575,000 Catalans are unemployed. In overall Spain, about 4.07 million people are jobless.

In 2011, people earning more than ?120,000 will see an increase of 2 points and those with wages higher than ?175,000 will see an increase of 4 points. This measure is part of a plan to reduce public deficit.