Silver linings for Spanish C&T

La Torre Puig, the 22-storey office tower now being constructed in the Plaza de Europa, in the Catalan capital of Barcelona for Puig, the family owned fragrances and fashion firm, will be yet another landmark building for one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It is also a symbol of Spain’s sustained recent success in beauty and personal care export markets, despite continued troubles in its own domestic economy. ICEX, España Exportación e Inversiones, Spain’s export promotion agency, reported Spanish beauty and personal care exports rose for the third successive year in 2012, growing 3% to reach a record €2.44bn, although growth slowed from 2010 and 2011 as economic conditions in key European markets faltered.