Video: @salvadorilla / X
Meeting at Pedralbes Palace
The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Salvador Illa, met with representatives of the G8 business platform on Monday 28 September 2026 at Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona. The meeting brought together eight leading Catalan business organisations to discuss economic challenges including funding, infrastructure, housing, migration and competitiveness.
Business Concerns Raised
According to attendees, the business leaders conveyed their concerns "with great frankness" during the dialogue, which took place over lunch. Sánchez listened actively and took notes, indicating the issues would not be ignored, sources said. Key topics included long-standing deficits in infrastructure, the impact of inflation, the cost of living, and access to affordable housing. Migration policy and its effect on labour markets was also discussed. Representatives highlighted the need for strategic decisions to strengthen business growth and economic progress in Catalonia.
Who Attended
The G8 delegation included Josep Lluís Sanfeliu, president of Barcelona Global; Josep Santacreu, president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce; Teresa Garcia-Milà, president of the Cercle d'Economia; Carles Puig de Travy, dean of the Col·legi d'Economistes de Catalunya; Tatxo Benet, president of FemCat; Antoni Cañete, president of Pimec; and Josep Mateu, president of RACC. Pau Relat, president of Fira de Barcelona, did not attend due to a prior professional commitment. Foment del Treball, the large enterprises' association, is not part of the G8 and was not represented.
The meeting aims to contribute to the debate on strategic decisions needed to promote competitiveness, business growth, and the economic and social progress of Catalonia.
Sánchez began his day in Barcelona at the Museu del Disseny, where he participated in the presentation of the 'Vidas Futuras' report alongside Illa and Industry Minister Jordi Hereu. After the G8 meeting, he visited Illa Sibèria, a public affordable housing development built on the site of a former ice factory in Carrer Badajoz.
Primary sources: punttic.gencat.cat, govern.cat. Reported by elnacional.cat, elperiodico.com, rtve.es, viaempresa.cat.
