Catalan uncertainty paralysing regional investment, Spain's economy minister says

Spain's Economy Minister Luis de Guindos speaks during an interview with Reuters at Economy Ministry in Madrid, Spain October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

MADRID (Reuters) - Investment projects in the northeastern region of Catalonia have been paralysed and the sale of a stake in state-run lender Bankia put on hold because of the current political uncertainty, Spain's economy minister said on Thursday.

Catalonia's parliament is set to declare independence on Monday after going ahead with a banned referendum on Oct.1, while heavy-handed tactics employed by Spanish police trying to stop the ballot have been widely criticised.