The president of the Generalitat Salvador Illa responded this Monday night to a harsh speech by the Cecot employers’ association at the 29th edition of the Business Night held in Barcelona with a call for Catalonia to “return to lead the economy of Spain.” . He did so after recognizing that there is still work to be done as demanded by businessmen, especially with regard to improving productivity.
Illa asked not to fall into “self-complacency” but did want to list some positive data such as the greater growth than other EU countries and the lower inflation. “We must once again be one of the four engines of Europe,” he added.
The co-founder of Fluidra, Joan Planes, was one of the winners at the Nit de l’Empresa
He said it in the Barcelona Auditorium full of businessmen and managers and with the notable presence of former presidents Pere Aragonés, Artur Mas, José Montilla and Jordi Pujol. Illa also took the opportunity to describe as “irresponsible” the attitude of Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso for not meeting with President Pedro Sánchez.
Previously, the president of the Cecot employers’ association, Xavier Panès, starred in a speech full of criticism of political management, especially on issues such as bureaucracy. The businessman warned that “in relative terms our economy and our citizens are becoming poorer in relation to the average European citizen.” And he warned that “the drop in productivity of our economic model, rampant absenteeism, the lack of workers in all sectors, combined with the aging of the population, evokes a future that is not very hopeful, economically and socially speaking.”
Regarding the reduction in the working day, Panès showed the employers’ rejection of the proposal “if it is not accompanied by measures that counteract the negative effects, because it will have a direct impact on productivity, especially in small and medium-sized companies.” In his opinion, the reform is being carried out without dialogue and with “a monologue directed by haste.”
The Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, also participated in the event, pointing out that Europe has rediscovered the industry and added the need to “win the battle of productivity.”
Among the winners, businessman Joan Planes Vila, co-founder of Fluidra, stood out. Coca-Cola EP, Comexi, Mat Product & Technology, Torrons Vicens, Centers Mercè Torguet, Escola Ginebro, Azbil Telstar and the associations Institut Industrial de Terrassa-Gremi Textil and the Gremi de la Fusta were also recognized with an award.
Source: www.lavanguardia.com
