The Spanish Stock Exchange, or BME, which stands for Bolas y Mercados Espanoles, is a collaboration of the various stock exchanges that deal with the systems and the securities that are traded within Spain. Under this umbrella, the securities markets are managed and run, with one unit that takes care of the making of decisions, and the overview of the markets that trade within the unit. This includes the decisions that are made in regard to market derivatives, settlement systems, fixed-income markets, equities and clearing systems.
Under the umbrella of the BME Group, or Spanish Stock Exchange, are the following: Iberclear Stock Exchange, Valencia Stock Exchange, BME Consulting, Barcelona Stock exchange, Madrid Stock Exchange and the Bibao Stock Exchange. The establishment of the Spanish Stock Exchange allows firms, investors and
intermediaries, to trade within a market where the products are continuously changing and expanding, with the security of a safe and flexible environment. The BME also ensures a competitive and professional market setting. With the unification of different stock exchanges, with one universal body, offers the trading parties a unique, large, and varied market in regard to products and securities. Services are structured with more resources available, and a reduction in the costs.
Spain is reliant on its agricultural products, of which the most important, are olives to make oil, and grapes to make wine. Potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, almonds, oranges and grains such as rice, barley and wheat, are also grown and harvested in Spain. Livestock, with the most common being goats and sheep, is another large agricultural market. Within the manufacturing sector, Spain produces products such as clothing, textiles, cement, iron, vehicles, steel, chemicals, boats, shoes and refined petroleum. Spain is the one of the world leaders in the production of cork, which is manufactured with the assistance of the cork-oak tree forests. These forests may be able to support the cork industry, but is not able to supply sufficient amounts, to sustain the timber and wood-pulp demands of the country. The Spanish economy also relies on its fishing industry that supplies squid, tuna, hake, sardines and mussels.
The import and export industry of Spain is well balanced. While Spain imports products such as textiles, food products, metals, machinery, transportation equipment and mineral fuels, it exports a vast variety. Imports are mainly received from Belgium, the U.S, Japan, France, Italy, the U.K and Germany. Products such as textiles, basic metals, motor vehicles, vegetable products, machinery and mineral products are exported to countries the include the U.K, the U.S, France, Portugal, Italy and Germany. The Spanish Stock Exchange plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.
