• Global equities resumed their upward path last week as investors put to one side the worries over Greece and took heart from further signs of a brightening outlook for the US economy.
• The relative strength of recent market performance masked another week of twists and turns in the ongoing Greek saga, which saw the prospect of a ‘disorderly’ default by Athens increasing in the minds of many.
• The price of Brent crude, the benchmark for oil prices in Europe, has been steadily rising over the past few weeks as investors grow increasingly worried about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with the US, UK and Europe all imposing sanctions to restrict Iran’s ability to sell oil.
• The official measure of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell sharply last month to a 14-month low of 3.6% from 4.2% in December, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Regards

Neil

Neil Gubbins

www.sjpp.co.uk/neilgubbins

ST. JAMES’S PLACE WEALTH MANAGEMENT

11 Hamilton Place
Mayfair
London W1J 7DA

T: 020 7495 1771
M: 07739 263334

Discussed at the meeting were this website and our Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/groups/MarinaAltaBusinessClub/

January’s ‘risk-rally’ continues into the first days of February, seeing equities and commodities rise sharply.

• US unemployment decrease exceeds expectations, fuelling further positive sentiment.
• Glencore and Xstrata are in talks over an $88 billion merger to create the fourth largest company in the mining sector.
• Facebook brings back memories of 1999 as the company looks to raise $100 billion from investors.
• This week sees speculation of a further injection of £50 billion into the economy from the Bank of England; while Barclays are due to announce results on Friday.

Regards

Neil

Neil Gubbins

www.sjpp.co.uk/neilgubbins

ST. JAMES’S PLACE

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

11 Hamilton Place

Mayfair

London W1J 7DA

T: 020 7495 1771

M: 07739 263334

However, many Expats will be dismayed to find out that the Spanish health care system is not as simple and effective as many people think.

I have personally witnessed very recently the rather cold, unfriendly and impersonal treatment given to a close relative of mine, who was receiving treatment in a public Hospital in Madrid.

Firstly, the Hospital was crowded with two and sometimes three patients in just one tiny room, which made virtually impossible for family relatives to stay for the night (because there was only 1 old horrible uncomfortable chair).

Secondly, nurses- who barely speak English- were chatting on the lobby, mostly unconcerned about their patients.

Thirdly, Doctors?  During my recent 1day visit to the Hospital, I didn’t see any single doctor visiting the patients. The Hospital seemed more concerned with clearing the rooms for the new incoming patients.

Some Authorities might say that although there are waiting lists for operations in the Spanish health services, they are not as long as in the UK, and there is less of a queue because many people choose private healthcare instead, relying on the national health system just for emergencies.

However, I do not quite agree with that assumption. On the contrary, With the economic crisis hitting hard in Spain at the moment, it is getting increasingly difficult to find hospitals and clinics that might be able to provide qualified interpreters.

The inability to speak and understand fluent Spanish can make a visit to the doctor’s or a visit to the hospital more stressful than it should be.

Therefore, I honestly believe that the Spanish health care system, it will be an advisable option for expats only during the early months of their move to the country. However, after a few months, you should need to look at the long-term situation and arrange the relevant healthcare insurance cover.

Private health insurance is becoming more and more vital option to many people, both Spanish and expats. There are many advantages to private healthcare in Spain, like a wider choice of medical practitioners and hospitals, the reassurance of being treated by English-speaking professionals, and not least, privacy in the hospital without having to share one’s room. The ability to effectively jump the queue of the state health care system can often lead to much shortened delays in treatment which in many cases could be a critical factor to save your life. On the other hand, Private hospitals, particularly in the Costa Blanca, which boasts some of the best in the world.

The expat community in Spain is so large that we are currently working to offer specific expat targeted private health insurance schemes to our clients, which is proving very beneficial to many expat people.  Obviously the cost of this healthcare will depend upon the level of cover you require, your age, your health and whether you may want your family to be included.

Therefore, in consistency with this vision, we cooperate with one of the leading health insurance companies in Spain, which offers very competitive health Plan insurance tailored to cover expats who flip between Spain and their home state. We would subsequently be more than happy to provide you with a free competitive insurance quotation as well as to clarify any question or inquiry that you might have.

Should you be interested in receiving more detailed information about the nature of our Firm, and the scope of the legal services offered, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or by E-mail to ricorsolicitors@yahoo.co.uk and we’ll be glad to be of assistance to you.

Thank you for your attention and we look forward to providing you with individual personal service and the benefit of our “know how”.

Kind regards

Mr Oscar Ricor. Solicitor

However, for MACBC members only, we are delighted to offer fantastic promotions. Should you be interested, please do not hesitate to contact us. kind regards

Digby’s is run by our ‘Costa Blanca Homes’ Editor and member, Paul Kilby – so will be a home from home venue for the Business Club. The bar has wireless internet access and is conveniently placed for the enormous new municipal free parking area that was opened last year behind Javea Park.

If you are not familiar with the area, the Google map link is here

http://g.co/maps/jvjrb

I have added this notice to the www.mabc.biz site too – in case you only have your phones with you when you can’t find it later tonight . My mobile is 681 001 300 if all else fails…

Unless you have already let me know you are away – I hope to see you there. http://digbys.eu not finished it yet but enough there to help find it !

Currently available for Spain

@javea.bz
@xabia.bz
@denia.bz
@torrevieja.bz
@alicante.bz
@calpe.bz
@moraira.bz
@altea.bz
@benidorm.bz

Also Available

@cheltenham.bz
@gloucester.bz
@mytown.bz

email addresses at the low cost of €24 a year (€2 a month) each name will be available on a ‘first come, first served basis’ for example gaile@javea.bz is no longer available but other variants might be – so please give a first second and third choice when ordering - Internet access is all that is required to enjoy your own personalised email address, it is also possible to use through Outlook and other proprietary email software.

Please note you do not need to be a member of MABC to take advantage of this great offer – this is a Club fund raiser – so feel free to pass this on to your friends and family. To secure your new address please follow this link http://www.mabc.es/offers/product.php?id_product=3

NB I updated this post on the 18th January to include a heap of new Towns