Catalonia business split over vote for independence
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BARCELONASep 14, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by
Sep 14, 2015 12:00 am
A disaster or a blessing, business leaders are divided over Catalonia's independence drive with some fearing the economy of Spain's richest region could run off the tracks, while others think it would be a good move. Catalonia, Spain's leading source of exports and its most popular tourist destination, will vote in a regional election on September 27 that local politicians are billing as a de facto referendum on independence. Separatists say an independent Catalonia would have a GDP per capita that is higher than the European average, post a surplus of 11.5 billion euros ($13 billion), have lower taxes and more generous pensions. But entrepreneurs are split, with their views often shaped by how they believe their key market might be affected. The main Catalan business confederation, Foment del Treball, warned recently of the risk that an independent Catalonia would cease to be a part of the European Union. Other business groups have backed Catalonia's separatist push, including an association of small and medium-sized Catalan firms which called on voters to reject "fear, apprehension and interference".
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