In The News: w/e 20th February 2009
February 20th, 2009 - Chris Marshall
Items that caught the eye for one reason or another recently include:
Of Local Interest
Not a lot!!! Spent a lot of the week talking to various people about the effect of the Credit Crunch both here and in the UK. On the basis that Spain officially confirmed the recession this week it seemed somewhat appropriate. I have discussed some thoughts in more detail on the Podcast this week. It is tough as without any doubt a LOT of people are suffering, yet it is hard to shake the thought that so much of it is self inflicted. Primarily through greed, best demonstrated by the Re Finance Adverts that we have seen in recent years. To be honest if you are in debt and you refinance so you can go on holiday I think you are mad! I KNOW that is a over simplified position to take, but I think it sums it up pretty well.
Don’t think for a minute that the Credit Crunch isn’t effecting Sands or I though! On one hand the yields on our properties in the UK are amazing at the moment, BUT the value on paper has gone down (not an issue as we bought them with a very long term view in mind). On the down side the exchange rate is so poor that we can’t afford to bring the money over so we are worse off than before! I have never had s much bad debt in the business as I picked up last year, some we have had to write off, other we will hopefully get back in the long term. I am waiting on a couple of project decisions (three actually) that all got the green light in 2008, but have yet to materialise, and we have had to extend credit terms to a number of clients this year.
David Jackson who was in Almerimar this week picked up a few useful bits of information as usual, including:
New telephone translation service in all Andalucian health centres
The Junta de Andalucía and Andalucian Health Service have launched a new service for non-Spanish speakers who need to visit a doctor.
Currently, doctors will not treat non emergency cases unless the patient speaks Spanish or brings a translator.
The new Salud Responde service allows a doctor to make a conference call to a translation service, whose operator will translate to and from the patient.
The new service will be available in 46 different languages and has a budget of 450,000€ a year.
Currently, the Andalucian Health Service estimates that it serves some 500,000 residents of Andalucia a year who do not speak Spanish, plus a further 9 million tourists a year.
Out of the 46 languages on offer, 11 will be available 24 hours a day every day of the year, the other 35 will be available from 8.00-18.00 every working day.
The main eleven languages are: German, Arabic, Mandarin, Bulgarian, Slovakian, French, English, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Russian.
Since the translators are all professional medical translators, the patient is guaranteed a professional, reliable free and confidential service, which will prevent them having to find a medical translator and receive full impartial medical information.
Salud Respondeis a unique service in Spain that has never been tested before.
It also allows patients to book appointments with their GP or medical centre in their language by calling 902 505 060; faxing 953 018 715; visiting their webpage online at
www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud or sending an SMS to 600 123 400 with the word CITASAS followed by your medical card patient number.
It is also trailing a telephone health system whereby citizens can call for free medical advice on trivial symptoms.
Huge redevelopment of Almeria Port announced
The Ayuntamiento de Almeria, Junta and other government bodies that want the glory have announced a huge redevelopment plan for the port and coastline of Almería city.
The project plans -no budget yet set- include the redevelopment of the coastal road, expansion of the port and marina, integration of the new conference centre into the marina, new administrative centre, two thousand parking spaces and a large new mall style leisure shopping and eating area.
The project is not just about building a huge new port, it contemplates integrating several different projects (such as the conference centre – you will remember the fuss over Norman Foster and the mayor’s friends cousin) into a macro plan to create a truely pleasant environment.
2 Africans found dead in reservoirs in El Ejido
Two African immigrants have been found dead, floating in reservoirs in the last 24hours in El Ejido, in the Las Marias area.
Around Spain
To be honest most of the ‘news’ around Spain at the moment is depressing and focussed on the declining tourist market, the drop in property prices, and the credit crunch!
A few articles that caught my eye on these subjects are:
Property in Spain: Castles in the sand
Spain Finally, Finally Makes That Recession To Beat All Recessions “Official”
Tax clampdown on flexible pensions: Particularly interesting for Pensioners I suggest!
More bad news for the property sector
Elsewhere in Europe
Caravans overtake Spain as Britons’ most popular holiday
Holidaymakers to pay more to be protected
Britons expected to take five million more holidays at home to save money
About Almerimar
Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar
Almerimar is a great place to live as an expat amongst the expats, or to work amongst the Spanish. There are all kinds of properties including villas, apartments and town houses for rent or sale. It is a very traditional part of Spain, with traditional Spanish foods so if you plan to travel to Spain either to look for jobs, for your company to trade with companies in Spain, or to learn Spanish and enjoy the Spanish weather then come and take a look.
If you are interested in purchasing a property in Almerimar please visit Almerimar Life Property. If you have purchased a property and want to rent it please visit Almerimar Life Rentals.
If you are traveling then why not look at our deals on Insurance, Flights, Hotels and Travel
Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 berths and excellent boatyard facilities.
