Healthy Balearic outlook

The majority of Balearic businesses are optimistic about 2001 and 67 per cent are confident of an increase in sales, according to the Balearic Chambers of Commerce. Sixty one per cent of businesses expect national sales to post bigger increases to last year and nearly 70 per cent are confident that exports will also show an improved increase. But while commerce is confident, the Chambers of Commerce believe that activity in the tourist industry will not develop at such a rapid rate as of late over the next few years. But there is further good news for the job market, 53 per cent of companies are looking to expand their work forces this year.