HSBC says Portugal should make a clean break

hsbcThe UK-based bank says that leaving the bailout programme with a clean break like Ireland will have positive implications for Portugal's international credit rating.

In a note to clients the bank’s analysts believe that Portugal will go for full access to the international funding markets and that it will follow the Irish government which made a clean break from its bailout lenders.

Tolls debate will show dire economic impact

a22The determined members of the Committee of Users of the Via do Infante (CUVI) have arranged a top level meeting in Loule to debate the tolls on the Via do Infante and their impact on the Algarve’s economy.

The tolls have been in place for around two years and there has been plenty of time to analyse the results. This has not happened as the government has refused to commission the promised study which will show the economic damage done to the local economy.  

ElBulli gastronomy centre 95% finished

shellfishThe founder of ElBulli told journalists that his new foundation is now 95% complete.

Ferran Adrià unveiled his plans for a “cooking laboratory” and museum along with a database of recipes.

French fight “fake” Chinese truffles

truffelsTruffle farmers in France have launched a campaign to help people identify prized Perigourd truffles.

Many of those farmers believe that “fake” Chinese imports have been doctored by unscrupulous chefs with synthetic aromas sprayed on so that they smell like a real truffle.

Barcelona cracks down on pet owners

dogdangerousBarcelona is to further its concern for the “co-existence between residents and animals” by introducing new laws to protect animals.

Dogs must be walked on a lead, may not be left home alone for more than 12 hours and owners must clear up the poo. Any owner in defiance of the regulations could be fined up to €1,500.

Portugal's vehicle sales up 44.3% in February

bmwThe Automobile Association of Portugal today reported that the market for vehicles grew 44.3% this February compared to February 2013, reaching a total of 12,702 units sold.

In a statement the Association noted that in aggregate the in first two months of 2014 the car market had risen by 38.3% over the same period of 2013 with 23,608 vehicles sold.

Portugal's national debt at highest level ever recorded

lisbon2Portugal’s national debt rose to €217.31 billion in January 2014, according to depressing data from the Bank of Portugal. This is the highest debt figure ever officially registered since these things started to be recorded.

At the end of December 2013 the national debt had reached €213.39 billion which represented 129% of Portugal’s Gross Domestic Product. By the end of January this year, despite some promising economic data, this actually had risen by nearly €4 billion to the €217.31 billion figure.

Businesses are returning to Britain

londonMore British manufacturers are taking their companies back to the UK after decades of experimenting with operations in developing countries.

One in six companies has “reshored” production in the last three years, up from one in seven reported in 2009, according to manufacturers’ association EEF in its Backing Britain report.