Google becomes biggest tech firm to pull out of Mobile World Congress’ in-person event
Trade fair will still be held in Barcelona this summer, despite cancellations from Sony, Facebook, BT, and Ericsson
Business
Business & economic news from Barcelona and Catalonia
Smaller Easter cakes for restricted social gatherings
Bakeries in Catalonia hope to return to pre-pandemic sales, but a reduction in size will make ‘Mones de Pasqua’ less profitable
Utility company Endesa and authorities to pay off €38.7 M in debt
Over 35,000 households will benefit from measure
Caixabank completes fusion with Bankia to become largest financial institution in Spain
New bank will have nearly 20 million clients, €623.8 billion in assets and market capitalization of over €20.5 billion
Barcelona council suspends licenses of dark kitchens for one year
Move from local authorities aims to prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of this new activity, while giving time to draw up regulation
‘Not So Dark’ ghost kitchen arrives in Barcelona, reigniting debate over the business model
Delivery-only restaurants are disrupting the market during the pandemic, but some neighbours are wary of co-existence problems
Low-cost high-speed rail service AVLO needs 80% occupancy to be profitable
More than 200,000 tickets have been sold since being made available in January
Manresa welcomes local and organic supermarket co-op with almost 800 members
Supercoop co-owners must pay €50-fee and work 3 hours per month
Seat sets goal of manufacturing half a million electric vehicles at Martorell plant
Carmaker plans to launch new urban electric car in 2025 but does not specify where it would be made
Catalan GDP plummeted by 11.5% in 2020
Covid-19 dealt a hard blow to economy as Barcelona chamber of commerce expects partial recovery of 6.1% this year
Taxis take part in ‘slow drive’ to protest Uber’s ‘illegal' return to Barcelona
Hundreds take part in protest while 10,000 people have opened Uber app in just two days
Barcelona hopes to welcome 50% of the number of tourists in 2019 this summer
Catalan capital aims to position itself as ideal city from which to work remotely
Catalan exports in January, 10.6% less than same month in 2020
Downward trend since pandemic began but still better than Spain’s average decrease
Seat loses €339m in 2020 due to pandemic and emissions-related expenses
Car manufacturer based in Catalonia worst hit in Volkswagen group
Uber returns to Barcelona with 350 taxis after 2-year absence
US firm quit Catalan capital after government passed legislation to regulate sector
Read the latest updates and breaking news on business and economic matters from Barcelona and Catalonia here. Keep up to date with how the Catalan economy is performing, inflation levels, employment and unemployment, major business mergers, important company announcements, and the latest on Catalonia’s biggest enterprises such as Vueling, Wallbox, Grifols, Mango, and plenty of start-ups and international firms based here too.