Message from Oriol Junqueras
It is my pleasure to present to you today the third issue of the quarterly newsletter The Catalan Economy.
Despite uncertainty as to the global economic outlook, 2015 was a good year for the Catalan economy. Growth in Catalonia was 3.4% at year end, a level not seen since 2007. And Catalonia's per capita GDP remains above that of many neighbouring countries, despite facing the worst crisis in decades.
However, these positive developments in the Catalan economy are set against the backdrop of international economic uncertainty. Concerns about a sharp downturn in the Chinese economy, lower prospects for growth in the United States and doubts about Europe's course and its resilience to overcome new challenges -referendum in the UK, migration policy, etc.- show that some risks remain and the economic recovery is no guaranteed.
As an actor in this complex and changing scenario, Catalonia aims to consolidate an increasingly competitive and innovative economic model based on higher productivity and prepared to create quality jobs. In this regard, this issue of The Catalan Economy emphasizes the employment rate increase of the past two years in Catalonia, which has enabled it to reach levels similar to those of the euro area. Besides reporting developments in the main macroeconomic variables, this issue examines Catalonia's GDP growth in 2015 and focuses on exports, one of the areas that have contributed positively to this improvement. Finally, as regards public finances, the differences between fiscal consolidation processes implemented in the past few years by the different Spanish Public Administrations are explained.
Oriol Junqueras
Oriol Junqueras, Vice-president of the Government of Catalonia and Minister of the Economy and Finance
