Francesc Granell, an economist of merit

Yesterday, the basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Barcelona was filled to the brim with prominent personalities from the political and social world to bid farewell to Francesc Granell i Trias, a benchmark for economists.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
05 September 2022 Monday 20:40
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Francesc Granell, an economist of merit

Yesterday, the basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Barcelona was filled to the brim with prominent personalities from the political and social world to bid farewell to Francesc Granell i Trias, a benchmark for economists. In 2004 the College of Economists of Catalonia distinguished him as a member of merit in recognition of his career. His contributions in the fields of economics in foreign trade, international economic relations, economic development and European integration are unique.

In fact, Francesc always stood out for his Europeanism, which he spread with great enthusiasm throughout his life. In 1986 he was requested by the Minister of Economy and his former professor, Ernest Lluch, to be a candidate to represent the Spanish State within the European Commission. Since then his career has been extensive. He was part of the executive of Jacques Delors as a member of the cooperation and humanitarian aid team, cooperated closely with the General Directorate of Development and was responsible for relations with the World Food Program and the International Fund for Agrarian Development.

His intense activity in the European Commission never disconnected him from the Catalan and Spanish reality. His analysis and opinions of the economic and political situation never left anyone indifferent. Beyond ideological coincidences, the voice of Francesc Granell had to be taken into account, without any doubt.

And it is that Francesc was a person who did not do things by halves. Nor in relation to his commitment to the College of Economists of Catalonia, with which he was always involved and overturned.

Francesc Granell's contribution to the dissemination of the economist profession was also extraordinary. From his teaching task and his teaching in the teaching of economics and in the training of new economists as well as in his support for the profession from any field.

On behalf of the College of Economists of Catalonia, I would like to thank you for your collaboration, especially mentioning your relationship with the Revista Econòmica de Catalunya, an instrument that the College of Economists of Catalonia provides to society to deepen knowledge of the economic and business reality in all its manifestations. Since its inception we have been fortunate to have his knowledge and experience on the editorial board of the magazine which, published in Catalan, gathers the most innovative contributions from the analysis of comparative experiences in economic policy and the business world.

It has been an honor to have been able to get to know Francesc up close and to have been able to learn from him as a benchmark in the economy. In fact, recognition of his figure is broad and transversal. In addition to the Creu de Sant Jordi, he had the Grand Cross of Alfonso X el Sabio and the Europa Star Award 2011, awarded by the Association of European Graduates, and had received decorations from the governments of Finland, Spain and Austria. Last March 15th marked the fiftieth anniversary of his membership in the College of Economists of Catalonia. I wish we could have celebrated many more!