Business Essential

Barcelona is one of the largest industrial centres of Spain, It has a rich background in manufacturing based on textiles and a large motor industry - Nissan and Seat have vehicle production plants in the city.

For business purposes there are Montjuïc 1 and 2, Avenida Reina M Crisina (tel: (93) 233 2000; fax: (93) 233 2386), as well as the state-of-the-art World Trade Center (tel: (93) 508 8000; fax: (93) 508 8010) at Port Vell.

The business community in Barcelona is accustomed to hosting foreign visitors and many international business people speak English or French. Catalan is used in a business setting among native speakers; otherwise Castilian Spanish is used.

Business hours are generally 8am or 09am until 6pm or 7pm, with an extended lunch break between 1.30pm and 3pm or 4pm. These hours may vary depending on the size and type of organisation. Punctuality is important. Formal wear is the norm and both men and women should wear a suit for business meetings - men should also wear a tie. Business cards should be exchanged after introduction.

All Spaniards have normally two family names - only the first is used in conversation, but any academic or professional titles should be acknowledged.

Invites to homes are not common and clients or business associates tend instead to be invited out, usually to pre-dinner drinks and tapas or to dinner.