home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CNN Newsroom: Global View
/
CNN Newsroom: Global View.iso
/
eur
/
spa
/
spa.ec3
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-05-02
|
19KB
|
384 lines
<text>
<title>
Spain: Economic Policy
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
Economic Policy and Trade Practices: Spain
</hdr>
<body>
<p>1. General Policy Framework
</p>
<p> Spain continues to experience good investment-led growth as
part of the economic upturn which began in 1985. In 1991, the
rate of growth will slow to 2.5 percent from 3.7 percent in
1990, as a result of the weaker international economy and a high
interest policy implemented since mid-1989 to curb inflationary
pressures. The goal of Spanish policy is to foster a
competitive economy in the context of the European Community
(EC) Single Market with the eventual goal of approaching EC
averages on per-capita income.
</p>
<p> Spain's 1986 accession to the EC established the framework
for the present economic expansion. EC membership has required
Spain to open its economy, modernize its industrial base,
improve infrastructure, and revise economic legislation to
conform to EC guidelines. With Spain firmly anchored in the EC,
foreign investors, principally from other EC countries, have
brought into Spain over $50 billion since the EC accession.
</p>
<p> The principal challenge for Spain in the 1990's will be to
adapt to the EC Single Market. Spain's overall competitiveness
has suffered in recent years, principally due to inflation
levels which continue to exceed EC averages and wage increases
above productivity gains. With the peseta linked to other EC
currencies via the European Monetary System (EMS), above average
inflation leads immediately to a decline in competitiveness of
Spanish goods and services.
</p>
<p> The main source of inflationary pressure is the fiscal
deficit, which will be about 2.0 percent of GDP in 1991. From
the period 1986-90, Spain was able to increase both social and
public infrastructure spending, due to a rapidly expanding tax
base following the introduction of a value-added tax. Starting
in mid-1991, public works spending was sharply curtailed because
of the need to cut the deficit, and in the face of growing
social program coverage and expenditures.
</p>
<p> From mid-1989 until February 1991, the Bank of Spain
maintained a high interest rate policy as the principal measure
to combat inflation. While the policy had success in reducing
inflation, the high yields attracted foreign capital, leading
to an appreciation of the peseta. The appreciation of the peseta
was also one factor in the decline in competitiveness.
</p>
<p>2. Exchange Rate Policies
</p>
<p> Spain joined the EMS in mid-1989, and was given a "wide band"
of plus or minus six percent around the peseta's central peg to
the ECU. With high interest rates, the peseta has remained five
to six percent above the central peg, and in the first quarter
of the year frequently bumped up against the ceiling. One
condition for eventual entry into a common European currency
will be to move the peseta within the "narrow band," plus or
minus 2.5 percent of the central peg. To do so, Spain will have
to reduce the interest rate spread with other EMS currencies.
</p>
<p> The Government of Spain has lifted all significant foreign
exchange controls for businesses, and it has announced that
remaining controls, for businesses and individuals alike, will
be lifted effective February 1, 1992.
</p>
<p>3. Structural Policies
</p>
<p> Spain's Treaty of Accession to the EC requires it to open
its economy. By January 1, 1993, Spanish tariffs must be phased
out for imports from other EC countries, and lowered to the EC's
common external tariff for imports from non-EC countries. Many
non-tariff barriers must also be reduced or eliminated. While
areas of dispute remain (see section 5) the trend is strongly
toward a more open economy. The EC program to establish a single
market has accelerated Spain's integration into the EC.
</p>
<p> Spain's membership in the EC also required liberalization of
its foreign investment regulations and the foreign exchange
regime. Complete freedom of capital movement will be established
by 1993 at the latest, although Spanish authorities have
announced that they intend to advance the timetable to the end
of 1992. In July 1989 a securities market reform went into
effect. The reform provides for more open and transparent stock
markets, as well as for licensing of investment banking
services. The reform liberalizes conditions for obtaining a
stock brokerage license, but provides for a transition period
through 1992.
</p>
<p> Faced with the loss of the Spanish feed grain market as a
result of Spain's membership in the EC, the United States
negotiated an Enlargement Agreement with the EC in 1987 which
establishes a 2.3 million ton annual quota for Spanish imports
of corn, specified non-grain feed ingredients and sorghum from
non-EC countries during a four year period. Since the United
States and the EC could not agree on permanent compensation when
the Agreement was to expire in 1990, a one-year extension was
negotiated. In December 1991, the EC unilaterally extended the
agreement for an additional year to end December 31, 1992. The
United States remains interested in maintaining access to the
Spanish feed grain market and will continue to press the EC on
this issue. U.S. exports of corn and sorghum, valued at about
$420 million annually, are an important part of U.S. trade with
Spain.
</p>
<p> Spain was obliged under its EC accession agreement to
establish a formal system of import licenses and quotas to
replace the structure of formal and informal import restrictions
for industrial products existing prior to EC membership. The
United States objected that the new import regime for non-EC
products was illegal under GATT. In response to U.S. concerns,
in September 1988, Spain initiated an automatic, computerized
licensing system for Spanish imports of the affected U.S.
products. Since the system became effective, no U.S. exporters
have reported market access impediments to their products
covered under the automatic approval system.
</p>
<p>4. Debt Management Policies
</p>
<p> Spain's external debt totalled $44.8 billion in June 1991.
International reserves were $62.1 billion in June 1991. With a
low debt service-export ratio, Spain should have no difficulty
in servicing its debt.
</p>
<p>5. Significant Barriers to U.S. Exports
</p>
<p> Import Restrictions: Spain prohibits imports of U.S.
produce, notably fresh apples, pears, cherries, avocados and
grapefruit, based on plant protection arguments. The two
countries appear to be close to an agreement to allow imports
of fresh apples and pears from the U.S. Northwest, but problems
remain for other products. Other EC countries allow imports of
these items, but Spain has not indicated any willingness to
bring their overall policy into line with other EC countries
before the revised EC-wide regulations are put in place sometime
after 1992.
</p>
<p> Processed Food Standards: Unusually strict regulations on
processed food imports constitute an important barrier. Spanish
regulations prohibit importation of processed food products
whose ingredients, additives (including colorings and
flavorings) and labels the Government of Spain has not approved
prior to customs clearance. Thus, food products must conform to
Spanish standards and be registered by importers with health
authorities prior to entry. Shipments not in compliance with
Spanish regulations are subject to detention and must be
destroyed or re-exported.
</p>
<p> Telecommunications: The Spanish government enacted a general
telecommunications law in December 1987 which established the
framework for policy and regulation of telecommunications
services in Spain. The law preserves the monopoly of
state-controlled Telefonica in the area of final and carrier
services; it allows for eventual liberalization of certain
customer premise equipment and value-added services. Impetus for
policy change increasingly comes from the EC regulatory
institutions in this sector. Spain has indicated that it will
not liberalize its telecommunications