The European Commission (EC) has started an investigation into the aid which Spain’s coal-powered electricity plans receive for the installation of filters which reduce the levels of contamination and so comply with legal targets. Since 2007, fourteen plants have received €440 million in subsidies for this concept and payments are expected to continue until 2020.
A recent report by Eurostat revealed that SMEs in Europe generate half of intra-European trade. These companies provide up to 249 jobs each and drive the economy.
The European Commission determined on Wednesday that the draft of Spain’s budget for 2018 sent by the Spanish government “complies in general terms” with the criteria established in the Stability and Growth Pact. Despite the fact the public deficit will exceed the target agreed on for next year.
A recent report published jointly by ICEX-Invest in Spain, Multinationals for Spain Brand and the International Center for Competitiveness said foreign companies’ evaluation of the business climate in 2017 has seen a further improvement compared to a year ago.
Before the crisis, Spain’s financial system passed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stress tests which included a 30% drop in property prices, according to Pedro Pablo Villasante, former managing director of Supervision at the Bank of Spain between 2000 and 2006.
The latest call up for footballers for the Spanish team preparing for the next World Cup in Moscow finds an equivalent in the Spanish economy’s recent successes: its internationalisation and diversification, which go far beyond declarations and pretensions.
With regard to Spain’s debt, there has been a Keynesian policy in place, of ECB monetary expansion and the expansion of government debt, call it what you like. And this policy has allowed Spain to grow at an annual rate of 3% in three years.
Inditex founder, Amancio Ortega, is still the person with the largest fortune in Spain, with 70 billion euros, followed by his daughter Sandra Ortega and and Mercadona chairman, Juan Roig. The three business people top the list of the 100 biggest national fortunes drawn up by Forbes.
Spanish factories output accelerated in the month of October hitting the highest levels for a decade, according to the PMI. This rose to 55,8 points in October from 54,3 in September, noting the “negligible impact” of the political situation in Catalonia, although political uncertainty could be a drag on future expectations.
S&P published a specific note on Spain economy on 31/10 where it states that the recent events in Catalonia should not have any immediate impact on its rating nor its outlook (BBB+/Positive). At the same time, Moody’s published a note on Spain which is more cautious about the risks of implementing Article 155.