Lack of awareness barrier to Pak-Spain trade

Spanish envoy urges businessmen of both sides to develop strong liaison

ISLAMABAD:

Spain and Pakistan have immense potential to improve bilateral trade in many areas and businessmen from both sides should forge strong linkages to create awareness and ramp up trade, stated Spanish Embassy Economic and Commercial Attache Aitor Santiago Garin.

During his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Monday, he lamented that the current trade volume between the two countries was low and limited to textile products only.

He was of the view that the trade volume could surge by enhancing linkages between the private sectors of both countries.

“Lack of awareness of Pakistani products in Spain is a major trade barrier, which should be addressed to improve bilateral ties,” he said. “Pakistani fruit exporters should focus on complying with sanitary and phytosanitary standards to capture the EU market.”

He urged Pakistan to develop a relaxed trade dispute resolution mechanism to attract foreign investors and assured it of complete cooperation of his embassy to enhance trade and economic relations.

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Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Pakistan had immense potential to export various products to Spain at lucrative prices such as mangoes, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, sports goods, leather products, surgical instruments and IT goods.

“Pakistan is an emerging market for business and investment,” he said, adding that Spanish companies should explore foreign investment and joint venture opportunities to produce value-added products.

Khan assured the envoy that the chamber would connect Spanish firms with the right counterparts for joint ventures and partnerships.

ICCI Senior Vice President Fatma Azim and other top leadership promised that the chamber would work alongside the Spanish embassy to increase bilateral ties and bridge the gap between the businessmen of both countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2021.

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