More companies to leave Catalonia if UDI takes place

More companies will leave Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia if a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) takes place, the president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Jose Luis Bonet, said, local media reported on Tuesday.

Bonet, who is also the president of the Catalan "cava" (sparkling wine) company Freixenet, stated that the UDI would be a "disaster, in general, an economic disaster, in particular, for Catalonia."

He said he was "very worried" and explained that a UDI would be "extraordinary negative for Spain, even for Europe, as it would imply a huge instability."

Bonet said his own company would leave Catalonia in case of a UDI, following the steps of many others that have already changed their official base from Catalonia to other places in Spain, such as Caixabank, Banc Sabadell, Gas Natural, Abertis, Cellnex, Inmobiliaria Colonial, Oryzon, Eurona, Proclinic or Arquia Banca, among others.

Talking about the boycott against Catalan products, Bonet hopes citizens can differenciate between businessmen and politicians who according to him are "the only responsible for this situation."

"I still believe that many people will understand, it is not up to us, Generalitat (Catalan government) have taken this path which is absolutely wrong," he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the president of Generalitat, Carles Puigdemont, is set to appear in the Catalan parliament to explain the political situation and the steps to follow after the illegal referendum held on Oct. 1.

The Spanish government have said that they would "take measures" if a UDI takes place.