Business

?There is a good trend towards recovery in Catalonia in the second half of the year,? states Antoni Castells, Minister of Economy and Finance

The award-winning football club uses its Asiatic tour to explain the tourist attractions of the country it comes from

Despite the rise in fuel prices and the dollar as well as the negative effects of the volcanic ash cloud, the Catalan company Vueling has gained a profit of 7.1 million euros in the year?s first trimester.

Local cooperatives and businesses in Catalonia are working together to improve production quality of fruit in order to commercialise in the Catalan market where most of the fruit consumed is imported from abroad.

Businesses from Catalonia and Quebec are starting to form partnerships in the fields of aerospace, consulting, and biotechnology. ?Quebec is an opportunity for Catalan companies to enter into the American market?, said Françoise Bertrand.

The county of Baix Llobregat located just south of Barcelona is fighting the crisis with plans to expand its aerospace sector. A new park aims to become the new mobility and logistics pole in Catalonia.

Within the last 5 years, Barcelona?s El Prat Airport has seen the number of intercontinental passengers grow about 70%. In addition, the number of flights and destinations within other continents have increased.

Barcelona?s Mayor, Jordi Hereu, engaged ?walking together? with SEAT to redefine the future of the car industry and recover from the crisis. In a visit to the SEAT factory in Martorell, next to Barcelona, Hereu offered SEAT to use Barcelona as a platform

Some young workers are becoming stuck into long-term unemployment, with little future perspectives. In addition, long-term unemployment has overtaken short-term unemployment.

The Catalan Agency for Competitiveness and Foreign Trade (ACCIÓ) organizes an event in London to promote business dynamism and an innovative environment of the country.

The industrial district of Poblenou was decided to become the technological 22@, a cluster of innovation and economic development. After 10 years, the number of high-tech companies is still growing and investigation centres are being set.

The Housing Prices continue to decrease but in a smaller pace. Housing prices in Catalonia have dropped by 2.3% compared to last year. In the Spanish state, a drop of 3.6% was recorded.

Catalonia will be the first European region to implement the Small Business Act 2010-2013, a common strategy to strengthen small and medium-sized companies. These businesses are at the core of the European economy and therefore are a key asset

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.