Thread: Anyone read the 14 page special in The Economist?

Has anyone read the 14 page special in The Economist this week? Some very interesting views and opinions there. Here is one of the articles from the report:

A survey of Spain: Spain's morning after | The morning after | The Economist

After three decades of partying, Spain has woken up with a hangover.

And did you know this:

Spain has been the largest single beneficiary of EU regional funds. It has received a total of €186 billion

Makes for interesting reading, Greg, though I found "fissiparous" a little heavy going - factious would have sufficed !!! It was heartening at least to read that we have capable economic management. The road schemes continue - there is one going on near me which must be costing a small fortune.
I even read the immigration section and had not realised the extent of our numbers.

Hi Greg, Its been a while since I read the Economist (actually last time was back in the days I was studying ;-)) The article made interesting reading and is certainly very relevant to the Murcia province.

Hi Anis, re the EU funding......we too have several large scale projects that are ongoing.....and also some of our completed projects have definitely benefited from this pot ;-))

Its nice to see the government forecasts a recovery towards the end of 2009....but what's your view?

Originally Posted by JazminesII

Its nice to see the government forecasts a recovery towards the end of 2009....but what's your view?

Unfortunately, I would have to say that it is a rather positive and ambitious statement. A professor at a US university recently said the recession in the US would take at least until 2010 and even in his analysis only minor elements were included or taken into account. (I'll post it here when I find it again)

I don't see Spain getting back on it's feet before the US...

These rather gloomy forecasts are another reason for ensuring that if you move to Spain you have sufficient resources to weather the storm. I suspect that in the past too many people (Brits particularly) moved here with just their pensions, hoping to take advantage of the cheap cost of living. Spain has now "grown up" into a fully-industrialised member of the EC although as a younger economy may fare better than others in the forthcoming world recession. So - if youare planning to move here, ensure you can cope with inflation, poor euro exchange rates and, if you are not retired, high unemployment.

Yeah I agree.......My take is we won't see a turnaround in Spain until about 2012......also I think the country that comes out of the recession will be a different Spain........There will be tighter governance....(some may believe its started but I dont think we've seen anything yet.....).

Big Vern said "Spain has now "grown up" into a fully-industrialised member of the EC " - did I read correctly the other day that Spain had asked to join the G8 ? They must therefore agree with your view I think.
2009 is optimistic for UK, let alone here. I don't really think we will pick up in the housing market until UK does, for a start off, well not in my area anyway.