Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 9014347)

Spain is already the world leader in green energy - and Spanish companies have recently won a load of important contracts in the US.

Spain has a lot of car manufacturing, but that isnt particularly competitive I agree. But then Spain has never been a manufacturing powerhouse like Germany or like the UK used to be. Spanish banks are still some of the most stable in the world, no government bailouts yet! Though there is some risk that the property crash will catch them out.

Agriculture and farming is very important in Spain, both at the mass produced (think supplying UK supermarkets) and upper end level (quality olive oils, jamon ibericos, dried fruits, wine etc).

Remember tourism accounts for only 10% of the Spanish economy, about the same as in London.

I do agree with your post though, in that the Spanish economy needs to become more innovative, but it actually has been changing over the past 10 years or so. Brits often dont realise this because they dont work in Spanish companies and often dont live in Spanish cities (and very often dont consume Spanish media).

Originally Posted by angiescarr (Post 9015000)

I have a Spanish friend who is a solar installer. They still buy panels from China and controllers from China and the US.
I forgot to mention how (generalisation of course) very 'pants' Spanish websites are. All Flash Flashy and no substance. Not searchable on ipods and smartphones and really tedious to use on any platform. That can't help either. I know this will change over the next few years but it's really held ecommerce back too.

Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 9015035)

Spain is the leader is the USE of green energy, not in the manufacture of equipment.

Yes I agree with the websites, all Spanish websites seem to use flash, and flash isnt user friendly imo. Spanish web designers seem to be more graphic designers than coders.

I'm redesigning a website at the moment to be web 2.0 and I'm using Indians. Nice and cheap! And they dont mind putting the hours in

Originally Posted by angiescarr (Post 9015107)

B****** (That was my first expletive) ;-) My husband can't find work in this field because of certain cheap labour groups. He speaks better Spanish than most of them do English. But they can 'bullshit' (ill let that stay because it's a discriptive) better than him.

Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 9015178)

I'm not sure what you object to here, that I say Spanish website designers seem to be more graphic designers than coders, or that you dont like that I've used Indian web designers?

If its for using Indians then why shouldnt I use them? They do good work and are very good value. They are very well educated and well mannered. The important thing as that you project manage them well.

I make a living through clients all over the world so I see no reason not to use the services from people all over the world too.

Originally Posted by angiescarr (Post 9019295)

:-) It's only because my business is being sacked by the Chinese, and My husband's is being sacked by Indians. I have no objection to any of them making a living. It's just that we're personally suffering at both ends. As is Britain from cheaper goods and services from abroad.
On the other hand we're all having to buy Chinese goods as most people are because we can't pay for British anymore. Having lost our economy/jobs that is. Presumably it's for similar reasons that you're employing cheaper workers.
On the other hand the expletives were an instant reaction and in good humour.:) I remember my smileys are usually hand typed and so don't appear properly.

Originally Posted by agoreira (Post 9013001)

and your latest little spat started because I said someone reckons Germany could possibly be the first to leave the euro..

Originally Posted by agoreira (Post 9020919)

Germany leave? Unthinkable.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...y-abandon-euro

Originally Posted by HBG (Post 9021063)

Germany is the only country that could leave the Euro and survive, because of its strong original currency. I’m salivating at the prospect, totally selfishly of course.

I don’t think it will happen but if it does, I’ll be rich. Most of my income comes from the UK and if Spain returned to the Peseta it would have to devalue immediately and my pound would be worth something like 500 Pesetas on day one, and much higher as time goes by.

Is it the QE3 now? Whatever it’s called, I’ll be booking a cruise.

Originally Posted by HBG (Post 9021063)

Germany is the only country that could leave the Euro and survive, because of its strong original currency. I’m salivating at the prospect, totally selfishly of course.

I don’t think it will happen but if it does, I’ll be rich. Most of my income comes from the UK and if Spain returned to the Peseta it would have to devalue immediately and my pound would be worth something like 500 Pesetas on day one, and much higher as time goes by.

Is it the QE3 now? Whatever it’s called, I’ll be booking a cruise.

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 9021954)

You're assuming the UK deficit is lower than Spain's (it isn't). One consequence of the weakness of the pound over the last couple of years, is that the UK has been a large tourist destination for many Europeans, plus there has even been a comeback in manufacturing. Allow the pound to rise again would hit the UK economy hard - I'm not sure the government/BoE would want to allow much of a rise. Which may be another reason why the UK government is helping in the EU bailouts (well they're more like lending money to banks, so hopefully we get the money back).

More supportive words about the Spanish economy (this time from a leading German banker)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-1...nageable-.html





Of course, it all depends on whether vested interests within Spain (including the unions) can be overcome by necessary changes

Originally Posted by HBG (Post 9008854)

Spain has a terrible problem with its construction industry and unsold houses, but the highly lucrative tourist industry alone could see it through – the same Brits who talk the country down are still spending their holiday money here – complain all you like, folks, but keep coming over to spend your money, please.

Originally Posted by Econ (Post 9022226)

I have seen comments in the Spanish press reporting reasonable if not good tourist numbers coming here but even if that is true it does not necessarily help most of the businesses who survive off tourism. Unless prices in Spain drop considerably or there is a fairly large change in the GBP to EUR exchange rate then I can't see things getting much better here in the South, unless the tourist board find tourists coming from countries that find it cheap to come here. :)