The employers demand “stability” from the new Government and that it focuses on economic recovery. Foment del Treball describes the ERC-JxCat agreement as “good news” but calls for a “great country pact” to get out of the crisis.

Pimec criticizes that the “blockade” has lasted “too long” and demands to give priority to SMEs in the process of rebuilding the economy.

The most representative Catalan employers have described the agreement between ERC and JxCat as “good news” to undo the inauguration of Pere Aragonès , they have demanded that the new partners give total priority to economic recovery in their policies and to guarantee “stability” during the new term.

Foment del Treball and Pimec have spoken throughout the morning of this Monday on the entente for a coalition Government and have stressed that this allows to avoid the electoral repetition, but they have criticized that the situation of blockade during the last two months it has been “too long”.

The president of Foment, Josep Sánchez Llibre , has called for a “great country pact” to overcome the economic crisis and has urged the future ERC-JxCat Government to prioritize those public policies focused on economic recovery.

Sánchez Llibre has stressed that the consequences of the crisis will be “very important” and for this reason he has insisted on the need to have a “strong,” business friendly “Government” and in permanent contact with the employers’ associations and unions to avoid the “rupture of social cohesion “.

His Pimec counterpart, Antoni Cañete , has urged the partners to draw up new budgets as soon as possible, with “business sensitivity”, which provide direct aid for companies and to “legislate with the little ones in mind to make our economy big” .

Business organizations have also focused on the “good administration” of the European funds that the EU allocates to Spain to face the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. And they have reached out to the new Government to support them and negotiate, together with the most representative unions, the measures for the economic reconstruction of the country.

The Hydrogen Valley project of Catalonia is already a reality. The plan, which provides for promoting technological and industrial infrastructures around this energy in Tarragona , has been presented this Friday.

The initiative is supported by some thirty public and private institutions that have presented at the Tarragona Conference Center with the signing of a collective memorandum. The Hydrogen Valley of CataloniaIt has been identified by the Generalitat as one of the 27 leading projects for economic recovery with the aim of deploying a hydrogen economy and society that achieves climate neutrality.

The agreement also aims to favor the access of projects associated with the Hydrogen Valley to European funds through the instruments made available from the Spanish Government.

The hydrogen is traditionally considered the perfect fuel since from the water can be used in internal combustion engine or a fuel cell to generate power.

This technology is based on the generation of hydrogen through electrolysis, which uses electrical current to separate hydrogen from oxygen in the water without emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There are still some questions about the massive viability of green hydrogen due to its high cost of production.

The vice president of the Government, Pere Aragonès ; the ‘Minister’ of Company, Ramon Tremosa ; the presidents of Enagás and Repsol, Antoni Llardén and Antoni Brufau , respectively; the rector of the URV, María José Figueras ; the presidents of the Tarragona Chemical Business Association (AEQT) and the Port of Tarragona, Rubén Folgado and Josep Maria Cruset , respectively; the president of the Tarragona Provincial Council, Noemí Llauradó ; and the vice president of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, Montserrat Ballarín .

Aragonès wanted to highlight the “firmness and determination” of the transforming project, which is not only for Tarragona, which is also crucial and exciting for the Catalonia of the future.

The project must ensure quality jobs, according to Aragonès, and ensure “the transformation that is needed” and with the ability to take advantage of European funds to reactivate strategic and future-oriented sectors. Basic principles such as energy saving and the circular economy are key in the future and hydrogen will play a clear role, according to Aragonès, in a decarbonized Europe and the reduction of emissions.

Tremosa has highlighted the relevance of European funds to promote economic recovery and reconvert the current industry. Tremosa has recognized the importance of the Administration, but above all of the companies to promote changes.

The role of Tarragona in the development of hydrogen as a source of energy is, according to the logical ‘minister’ given the current weight of the petrochemical complex on a European scale and having the appropriate means to advance in this field of great expectations.

The rector of the Rovira i Virgili University, María José Figueras, highlighted the transversality of a project. He considers that “the public-private joint leadership will promote the projects of the Valley and will make possible an industrial energy transition that generates a significant economic and social impact in the territory.”

The president of Enagás, Antonio Llardén, has stated that, “in line with Enagás’s commitment to decarbonization and the just transition, this agreement will serve to enhance the industrial and technological capabilities of the energy and industrial sectors of Catalonia, thanks to the development of a renewable hydrogen economy in accordance with the European and Spanish roadmaps “.

Llardén stressed the importance of “creating a market” for hydrogen, which will have a “key role · in his opinion from an industrial development perspective and is” a great candidate “to obtain European funds for its development.

Repsol President Antoni Brufau highlighted the public-private collaboration exemplified by the Hydrogen Valley project, in the idea of ​​achieving a “sustainable and competitive society”.

The vice president of the Metropolitan Area of ​​Barcelona, ​​Montserrat Ballarín, said that the project has a “special meaning” in a moment of pandemic, which forces to rethink the economic model. The just ecological transition should focus, according to Ballarín, on mobility and promote the hydrogen-based vehicle for public transport. Around fifty hydrogen buses are expected to circulate in the metropolitan area in the next few years.

For the mayor of Tarragona, Pau Ricomà, the Hydrogen Valley is key in a “foreseeable industrial reconversion” of the Tarragona area that will mean cuts in industrial employment in the area in the future.

He stressed the urgency of “drawing” a future that places the province as a “center of industrial and competitiveness in a sustainable sector for an area traditionally linked to the chemical and nuclear sector.” The president of the Tarragona Provincial Council, Noemí Llauradó, has highlighted the sum of efforts to develop an energy transition promoted by the local sphere.

A judge in Valencia guarantees that a single mother accumulates paternity and maternity leave. A judgment won by the lawyers of the CSIF union obliges Social Security to recognize two permits for a mother so as not to discriminate against her. The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent.

The 16th social court of Valencia has recognized the right of a single mother to accumulate maternity and paternity leave . The magistrate’s decision seeks not to discriminate against the woman or her child, compared to families where two parents can access that right to be with their progeny. This has been made public by the CSIF union; who has advised the plaintiff against Social Security.

The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February of this year that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent in which the Superior Court of Justice of that community approved last October the accumulation of permits in such cases.

The judgment of the court of first instance recognizes the right of the mother to enjoy an additional eight weeks of leave after the birth of her child; that would be added to the 16 weeks that the mother already has recognized by law.

The court ruling considers that “if the benefit is denied to the beneficiary in the terms requested, there is a violation of the right to equality enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (…) inasmuch as the care, care and development the affected minor will suffer a clear reduction compared to what others in a similar situation will receive, framed within a two-parent family model “.

A judge in Valencia guarantees that a single mother accumulates paternity and maternity leave. A judgment won by the lawyers of the CSIF union obliges Social Security to recognize two permits for a mother so as not to discriminate against her. The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent.

The 16th social court of Valencia has recognized the right of a single mother to accumulate maternity and paternity leave . The magistrate’s decision seeks not to discriminate against the woman or her child, compared to families where two parents can access that right to be with their progeny. This has been made public by the CSIF union; who has advised the plaintiff against Social Security.

The General Council of the Judiciary validated in February of this year that the magistrates will apply this criterion and in Euskadi there is already a precedent in which the Superior Court of Justice of that community approved last October the accumulation of permits in such cases.

The judgment of the court of first instance recognizes the right of the mother to enjoy an additional eight weeks of leave after the birth of her child; that would be added to the 16 weeks that the mother already has recognized by law.

The court ruling considers that “if the benefit is denied to the beneficiary in the terms requested, there is a violation of the right to equality enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (…) inasmuch as the care, care and development the affected minor will suffer a clear reduction compared to what others in a similar situation will receive, framed within a two-parent family model “.

Weddings, baptisms and communions are increased in May. This is confirmed by the same National Institute of Statistics, which states that most weddings take place between April and September. And hand in hand, usually under it, money is transferred to the honorees.

According to the law, the Treasury can demand that the amount obtained in cash or gifts be taxed in the declaration of donations and inheritance. The experts at Tax Down, a firm specializing in tax advice, recognize that tradition still wins the game over the law and the Treasury has not faced specific campaigns to collect between these transfers between individuals.

The gifts received are not taxed through the income statement, but are taxed by inheritance and gift tax. Taxation depends on each autonomy and the degree of kinship with the donor, or the value of the donation, regardless of whether it is movable or immovable.

The law does not exist a minimum exemption, but in practice few are those who declare what they have received or donated. According to the law, absolutely everything would have to be declared.

Although there is a state regulation for these gifts, considered donations for all legal purposes, the Autonomous Communities can apply their specific legislation (the national law only applies in the absence of the autonomous one).

Thus, there are autonomies in which it is more profitable to marry and / or baptize a child, such as in Madrid, Andalusia, Murcia and La Rioja. In these communities, a 99% discount is applied on the tax quota in donations between parents and children, that is, only 1% of the tax quota would have to be paid to the Treasury.

In other communities, that same gift would have a higher taxation. The difficulty is that a hypothetical legal declaration should apply a different tax depending on the degree of kinship, the taxpayer’s tax base after deducting expenses, and so on.

The same thing would happen with the gift of cash. Experts advise opening an account for donations and thus be able to justify the nature of the income. The envelope in hand supposes to control black money. In any case, in practice there are no material means to control all weddings and no special operations are even carried out in the case of marriages of people with a foreseeable greater movement of funds.

What it does seem that the Treasury tends to control is the flow of money with service companies associated with this type of celebration. This is the case of florist services or catering companies. In Tax Down they recognize that “custom prevails over regulation,

Spain is among the countries of the European Union (EU) with the lowest rate of marriages per thousand inhabitants, with 3.5 unions, according to data from the European statistical office Eurostat, which highlights the continued fall in weddings for decades.

In 2019 the EU countries with the highest number of marriages in relation to population were Cyprus (8.9 unions per thousand people), Lithuania (7), Latvia and Hungary (both 6.7) and Romania (6.6 ), followed by Slovakia (5.4), Denmark and Malta (5.3).

At the opposite extreme, the lowest rates were around 3 marriages per thousand inhabitants and occurred in Italy (3.1), Portugal and Slovenia (both 3.2), followed by France, Spain and Luxembourg (all 3.5). Since 1964, the marriage rate in the European Union has dropped from 8.0 per thousand people to 4,

If you run a small business that operates exclusively in the same country, and you don’t rely on imports or exports in any way, currency is unlikely to be on your radar. However, if you import or export your goods or order raw materials and supplies from overseas, currency changes will significantly affect the cost.

Movement in the currency market can significantly affect transactions and can ultimately affect profitability. Every small business who is exposed to foreign currencies will need to build in some kind of safeguard to protect against a market that can suddenly swing in any direction.

It’s impossible to eliminate all levels of risk entirely, but you can make trading easy when forex is explained. Here’s a look at the essentials you need to know.

Banks Are More Expensive

When you’re dealing with the movement of money, it’s almost instinctive to turn to your bank to handle the transaction. However, if it involves foreign currency, you’ll end up paying more for the privilege.

Banks add a premium when dealing with foreign currency to make a profit. This translates into higher costs for small businesses. The charges aren’t always apparent, as rather than pass them onto you in fees, banks often disguise them by using a lower exchange rate and taking the surplus.

Using online services or providers who specialise in foreign currency can mean access to rates that could be up to four times cheaper than a bank.

Understand the Impact of Geopolitical Events

Dealing with cross-currency transactions is particularly challenging as it’s impossible to forecast the cost with any accuracy. Due to potential swings in the exchange rate, goods could end up being vastly more expensive or cheaper, depending on your luck. 

Understanding the influences on currency can help you to plan your strategy more effectively. Political tensions or big events such as elections can unsettle a market and make exchange rates even more volatile than usual.

Consider a Multi-Currency Account

One useful way to protect against currency movement is to set up a multi-currency account. This means that payment won’t have to be immediately converted upon receipt, protecting you from low exchange rates.

Holding US dollars, euros and sterling in a single account may be useful for many companies who transact business overseas. These are the three most commonly used currencies, but it’s possible to include others if they’re more relevant to your trade.

Enlist Expert Help

The volatility in the exchange rates can make it difficult to budget for the future effectively. It only takes a relatively small movement to make a big difference to trade sales and purchases.

There are many services available that can help you to take advantage of the movement in the market. Some currency fluctuations may be very beneficial, giving you access to the same goods at a much lower price. Setting up automatic alerts allows you to buy and sell your goods when the market is at the best rate.

These alerts are typically managed via text or email, making it simple for you to execute your trades right away. You can choose the levels that you want to set for alerts; if you need help deciding what these should be, speak to a currency expert for up to date advice.

Many people decide to avoid investing in stocks and shares due to the risks attached. Thankfully, there are many alternatives available if you do want to invest your money without getting involved with the stock market. Let’s look at six of the best alternatives to stocks and shares right now.

Private equity

With private equity, Felix Beck explains that you can invest in a company that’s not issuing public stock. You can start by investing your capital into a business before you receive a return after the company has reached a specific goal or stage. This stage might be when the company is merged with another one or when some stock is made public. Over recent years, private equity investment has been frequently poured into start-up tech businesses, and alternative energy has also become popular amongst investors. As a private equity investor, you may have a substantial say in how the company is run. You may become part of a pool of investors. It’s worth noting that this form of investment can be somewhat costly.

Venture capital

Venture capital is a type of private equity. However, with venture capital, investment is made in start-ups that are at an embryonic stage in their lives. Firms that specialise in venture capital provide capital so businesses can get off the ground. They expect to make their cash back and more when the company is purchased or when it decides to issue stock. However, it could take around a decade for you to get your money back. This means venture capital should be regarded as a long-term investment opportunity, and you may not get it back at all. To mitigate this risk, venture capital managers spread money around a diverse range of businesses. You will normally be expected to invest a substantial sum of money to take advantage of venture capital opportunities.

Felix Beck on hedge funds

Hedge funds take money from a range of investors and put it into several investments. The purpose of this is to optimise the chances of a big return on investment. One reason why hedge funds have become so popular is that they don’t face as much regulation as other funds. Hedge funds have also risen at the same time as stock markets have fallen or only made small gains. Nonetheless, hedge funds are not risk-free, which is why it’s so important to take a close look at each fund that you’re interested in before you proceed.

Managed futures

Managed futures are similar to hedge funds, though they are more strongly regulated. Managed futures funds allow you to benefit from opportunities in the currency, commodities, and interest rate markets. Managed future investment requires you to make predictions on how investments and equities will fare. A future is an agreement to purchase a commodity or currency at a specific price on a specific date. If the price changes compared to the price you originally agreed, you can make money, but may also lose it. One of the key benefits of managed futures funds is that you don’t need to make as big an investment as you would with a hedge fund. However, there is still an element of risk involved as your predictions could be highly inaccurate.

Real estate investment

With real estate investment, groups of investors fund the purchase of large property developments. There are many different ways people can invest in property, says Felix Beck, without living in it. They can buy property to rent out to tenants, buy shares in real estate trusts and join real estate investment groups. If you are considering buying a property to rent, there are several things that you need to bear in mind. Maintaining a property can be expensive and eat into your profits, and you’ll also have several taxes to pay. You may also spend a great deal of time removing tenants if they don’t turn out to be a good match for your property.

When you join a real estate investment group, you can remove much of the risk and work from investing in property. You’ll need to contribute capital to a company that buys a property. The company will then go on to manage the property and take a percentage of the rent. Real estate investment groups invest in large numbers of properties and can receive tax breaks after paying a certain amount of income to shareholders.

Cryptocurrency

Over the past decade, investors all over the world have been able to grow their returns by investing in cryptocurrency. The first form of cryptocurrency was Bitcoin, which is just one of many new currencies that have reduced the cost of making cross-border transactions happen. Cryptocurrency has also delivered swift processing times and greatly reduced our reliance on central banks. Many investors love cryptocurrencies due to the way they give them more control over their capital and data. It’s said that there are now more than 5,000 cryptocurrencies to invest in.

Another big reason why so many investors are attracted to cryptocurrency is that they offer high liquidity. This means it’s relatively straightforward to buy and sell cryptocurrency. Studies constantly support the view that cryptocurrency is delivering much higher returns than many other assets, even stocks. As cryptocurrencies are so volatile, just one trade can provide an outstanding return. Of course, this also means there is considerable risk involved. The crypto market is also open around the clock, so you’re not restricted by opening times. You can buy and sell at any time. Cryptocurrency may also help you diversify your portfolio and therefore reduce financial risk. Some of the most talked-about cryptocurrencies of recent years include Ethereum, Dogecoin and Cardano.

Conclusion

There are many options to take advantage of if you do want to see your money grow without relying on stocks and shares concludes Felix Beck.  Whether you invest in cryptocurrency, real estate, managed futures, venture capital, hedge funds or private equity, there’s always a great chance you’ll be able to meet your financial aims.