There is a tangible shift happening in Catalonia’s economy. Employers and various economic bodies have been coordinating meetings in recent weeks to align on priorities for the region, a move corroborated by sources close to the discussions. A standout topic is the expansion of Barcelona airport, a project debated within these circles as a strategic priority.
These conversations occurred behind closed doors, away from the media glare. A grouping informally named the G-8, though larger in membership, has held recent dinners with senior representatives from industry, labor, and regional associations. Participants have included leaders from the workforce development sector, key business councils, the Barcelona Global network, the Economy Circle, RACC, the Col·legi d’Economistes, Women Catalonia, and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, among others, according to consulted sources.
The triumph of the Copa América in Barcelona in 2024, backed by Barcelona Global and supported by a wide array of institutions, shifted the mood of Catalonia’s business landscape. It inspired a broader push toward consensus on major objectives. A source familiar with the dynamics noted that a climate has emerged that favors collaborative solutions over isolated action.
One policy area highlighted for consensus is the airport expansion. The project is currently facing disagreements between the regional government and the central administration, reflecting a broader conversation about how to synchronize national and regional investment priorities. Recent data on slower-than-expected government investments may feed into this debate.
relays
Several organizations are likely to see leadership changes, but the overarching goal will remain: to foster consensus on fundamental issues. The Cercle d’Economia is a prime example. On July 12, for the first time in 64 years, two candidates will vie for leadership, one an economist and the other a businesswoman. The contenders include Pink Canada and James Guardiola, the former CEO of Banc Sabadell. The pre-election landscape has already begun with phone campaigns and early planning for events aimed at the roughly 1,300 members of this influential club, which holds substantial sway in regional affairs.
Another transition is anticipated at Barcelona Global, with Aurora Catà seen as a potential incoming leader following the Copa América success, while Maite Barrera, founder and CEO of a financial advisory firm Blue Hat, is also described as a pivotal figure in the executive circle.
At the Col·legi d’Economistes, recent shifts include Carles Puig de Travy, CEO of Crowe, replacing Oriol Amat. In FemCat, David Marín, CEO of Inaccés Geotècnica Vertical, has taken a notable seat after Elena Massot’s appointment at Vertix earlier this year.
The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce currently leans toward a pro-independence stance but shows a willingness to negotiate with other institutions and organizations, a shift from the presidency under Joan Canadel, who has since become a member of parliament for Junts per Catalunya.
escaping the spotlight
At the moment, the strategy is to minimize media influence that once sparked widespread protests at the old Estació del Nord in Barcelona with the slogan “Ja n’hi ha prou, focusem-nos en la recuperació.” The movement, intended to press for dialogue and a smoother recovery after the pandemic, saw the Chamber of Commerce participate, signaling a broader alignment across the economic sector.
Sources suggest the Copa América experience demonstrated that ambitious goals can be achieved through collective effort. The prevailing view is that success relies on common projects led by consensus rather than individual heroics, with all parties contributing to shared outcomes.
Some early rhetoric has softened in favor of a more constructive tone. Javier Faus, head of Cercle, has spoken about moving past a narrative of collapse and emphasized that Catalonia’s growth in recent years has been quantitative rather than qualitative. He urged administrations to align around a vision that preserves economic leadership, a sentiment echoed by Foment and echoed by Barcelona’s mayor, Ada Colau, who has proposed a catalog of ideas to accelerate major city projects. There is a broad sense that people across institutions are now working toward the same goal, even if paths differ.