Catalonia ready to lead Spanish economic recovery says Barcelona Chamber of Commerce

Exports are the key to generating new business according to report

Miquel Valls, president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, and Fernando Casado, president of the Family Business Institute
Miquel Valls, president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, and Fernando Casado, president of the Family Business Institute / Sergio Uceda

Sergio Uceda

May 20, 2010 04:40 AM

The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce presented a report this week which outlined that the only way to combat the severe economic crisis which Spain is suffering at present is through constant business initiatives. Chamber President Miquel Valls stated that Catalonia is ready for a leading role in the economic recovery of Spain.
After a tax increase approved by the Spanish Government, domestic consumption will slow and economic recovery will come from external demand, said Valls. He thinks that Catalan businesses are at an advantage because they are well prepared for exports. Besides, according to the report, 36% of the new jobs were produced by new businesses. Therefore, the Chamber considers that 100,000 new businesses are needed for a full economic recovery.

In order to encourage business, Valls suggests cutting bureaucratic costs as well as the reduction of difficulties when a new business proposal is being put together. The Chamber also suggests improving legal security, increasing the number of student internships in companies and assisting those entrepreneurs who may have failed on previous occasions.