Xavier Panés stated this Monday, during the annual meeting with the media, that the scenario for 2026 will be one of continuity, with moderate economic growth, neither reaching euphoria nor falling into crisis. He stressed that the main challenge for companies is not so much economic evolution as the lack of predictability and the deficit of qualified professionals.
“"The most determining risk factor for the growth of business activity in 2026 is the lack of talent and qualified personnel."
According to the annual Cecot survey, the shortage of qualified personnel has surpassed bureaucracy as the main concern for Catalan companies. The entity's Secretary General, Oriol Alba, warned that this difficulty is transversal, especially affecting sectors such as trades, construction, transport, and commerce, where the average age of professionals is very high.
Another central focus was the financing of Catalonia. While positively assessing the opening of dialogue with the Spanish Government, Panés insisted that the current proposal is only a “punctual advance” and does not structurally resolve the country's needs, advocating for a fair and efficient system.
“"A conjunctural increase in income is positive, but we cannot confuse a punctual advance with a structural change."
Cecot also maintains the improvement of productivity and administrative reform as priorities. Panés warned that population aging makes it essential to produce more and better, arguing that the only way to guarantee the continuity of the welfare state is by improving productivity and job quality.
