21 November 2008

Relevant Events

Catalan president José Montilla declared that Barcelona is seeking to increase its presence in Asian markets and wishes to be the gateway for Chinese investment in Europe.

Mr. Montilla participated in the Global Business China Meeting, the world's only event gathering 600 of the most influential Chinese and Asian executives. The Spanish authorities present at the event, held in Barcelona, recalled that despite the global crisis, China has kept a 10% growth rate and now ranks as second among global exporters. President Montilla pointed to the fact that the Port of Barcelona has strong ties with several Chinese cities, with goods traffic growing at a rate of 30% a year.

Catalonia also plans to take advantage of a series of agreements between China and Spain in areas such as culture, trade and economy and particularly a strategic accord from 2004 whereby Spain became China's preferred partner.

Source: El País, 18/11/2008