Spain ranked 136 out of 185 countries in 'ease of doing business' survey

Bureaucracy by Quino

More difficult than Zambia to set up a company

MADRID The World Bank's Doing Business 2013 report was released last week. It says that Spain is among the most difficult countries in which to set up a company, in terms both of procedure and cost. This despite the need for the country to crawl out of its present financial crisis, a country where over 80% of GDP is brought about by small and medium companies, a country that loses scientists and entrepreneurs to other more welcoming business climes. The WB's report places Spain three spots below the same survey carried out last year; it takes 10 separate bureaucratic procedures and 28 days to set up a company, at a cost equivalent to 4.7% of the average per capita income. An example from the report, and the subject of a separate article in El País, is that of a businessman in Seville who>>>

Another reason why Spain is in the mess it's in: Getting tangled in the web of bureaucracy

© 2012 CampoPulse

That's what's been happening to Prospero these days: getting entangled in the web of bureaucracy on his own behalf and on behalf of others. The new laws about health coverage, residence, social security, etc. etc. are so muddled, it is like swimming through treacle (to use an American expression that's more difficult for Abbé to illustrate). One ministry doesn't appear to know what the other one's doing. But that's not the only thing. The following is something that is herewith 'Another reason Spain is in such a mess', our occasional articles under that title. It sounds like an old joke, but it isn't - it's old, but no joke, not really. Here goes: SOON YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO READ THE REST OF ARTICLES LIKE THIS UNLESS YOU SUBSCRIBE>>>

Reader asks: do we really have to take the baby to the National Police to prove he exists?

(Illustration only)

Maybe one of our readers can answer this question (it's a very long time since Prospero had to deal with live babies): "When we applied for the baby's NIE number at the National Police station in La Línea, we were told that he had to be presented in person. This despite the fact that he has his own British passport and we had gathered all the documents needed to get his NIE. Has anyone been through this lately?" If you have, or know someone who has, please click on the word 'comments' below and tell us about it. We have to admit we were astonished by this one!