Spain Business Brief - Tuesday April 22 2008
larger | smaller
By h.b. - Apr 22, 2008 - 1:07 PM
Hacienda investigates bank accounts of 198 Spaniards in Liechtenstein.

Hacienda tax authorities has announced that they are to investigate 198 Spaniards who have bank accounts in Liechtenstein for possible fiscal crimes. A statement from the Agencia Tributaria, said that the deposits correspond to family groups with several different titles and beneficiaries.
The data obtained in the investigation will be sent over to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor.
It comes with the revelation that Spain is working in coordination with Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, the U.K. and the United States in the Lichtenstein investigation.
Spanish investment there alone is 22.11 million € in the past 15 years, although there are no numbers since 2005 when the country was considered as a financial haven.
Spanish investments offshore are estimated to have reached 95 million € in the first half of last year, some 50% lower than for the same period in 2006.

Pedro Solbes, the Minister for Tax and the Economy, has finally put a number on the Government’s new reduced prediction for the growth of the Spanish economy this year – 2.4%. It compares to the previous forecast, during the election campaign of 3.1%.
The new Government number is today reported to be in line with the Bank of Spain estimates of growth for 2.4% this year and 2.1% next, and is expected to be officially announced by the end of the month.

A political row is brewing following comments made by the PP President of the Navarra Government, Miguel Sanz.
He criticised the 400 € rebate which is being given to income tax payers, be they employed, self employed or pensioners in Spain from this year. He said that the amount only served ‘for a dinner and little more’ and would have no effect on the economic crisis being suffered by Spain. He said that PP plans to invest, with other financial incentives for home owners were the way forward, also suggesting tax breaks for the creation of jobs.

Air Europa pilots have called for strike action with indefinite stoppages from the month of June, and a first protest between the 5 and 9 of May. The Spanish Pilots Union, Sepla, says the June stoppages will be on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Spokesman, Luis Crespi, said that all possible negotiations with the owners Globalia had been exhausted.
Meanwhile Spanish company, Ferrovial, could be forced to sell one of its British Airports. The Monopolies Commission will announce the definitive conclusions of an investigation in August, although a first report says that BBA is not running the airports well. The sale of Gatwick is being forecast, given that it could both satisfy the regulators and help the company financially.

And finally,
The Barceló hotel chain says it is to abandon the 3 star category and concentrate its operations on the top end of the market. It is also planning to strengthen its complementary offer with golf courses and business conventions to avoid an expected tourist slowdown this year.

Click here for related stories

 mobile |  email this article |  printer friendly page

 del.icio.us |  digg |  technorati |  yahoo | Stumble It!
Facebook | Reddit | Newsvine | Meneame | Wikio
Blink | Google | Fresqui | MSN reporters | Live Spaces
My Space | Fark | Mixx | Twitter

Spain Business

Readers' comments:
Please keep to the subject. Opinions published here are of our visitors, not the Typically Spanish team. Comments which go against Spanish laws or which are libellous are not allowed. We reserve the right to delete any comment we wish. Placing a comment indicates you have read our terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Por favor, céntrate en el tema. Son las opiniones de los internautas, y no las de Typically Spanish. No está permitido verter comentarios contrarios a las leyes españolas o injuriantes. Reservado el derecho a eliminar los comentarios que consideremos fuera de tema. Escribir un comentario indica que has leído nuestros condiciones de uso y politica de privacidad .