Deepening relations: Spanish ambassador supports MoU with Pakistani chambers
Calls for enhanced cooperation in energy and infrastructure sectors.
$611.7m was the value of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Spain in fiscal 2012. PHOTO: FILE
FAISALABAD:
Spain is anxious to promote bilateral trade with Pakistan, stating that there exists enormous potential for investment in alternative energy resources and tourism in Pakistan. Spain’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Javier Carbajosa Sanchez, expressed this, while addressing members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here today.
He said that Spain, being a developed country with the 14th largest economy in the world, and one of the world’s leading countries in the development and production of renewable energy, solar power and wind energy, can help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis through technology transfer. Similarly, Spanish companies can materialise their cooperation in the telecommunication sector of Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s tourism sector has great potential which can be further promoted by improving road and rail infrastructure. He suggested that both countries should launch joint ventures in energy, infrastructure and agro-based sectors. Ambassador Sanches said that he would try to motivate Spanish companies engaged in the infrastructure development, energy and agriculture to invest in Pakistan.
He said that he would push for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the FCCI and Chambers of Commerce in Madrid and Barcelona for direct business to business contacts and linkages.
The ambassador said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and should improve its positive image in the international community. To overcome the two problems of energy and security, Pakistan can improve its economic strength, said Sanchez.
Earlier in his welcome address, FCCI President Engineer Suhail Bin Rashid said that Spain is an important trading partner for Pakistan. In fiscal 2012, bilateral trade stood at $611.77 million in favour of Pakistan. Pakistan exported $512.58 million worth of goods to Spain, while imports stood at $285.93 million.
He said a trade analysis shows that there is greater potential available for enhancing trade between Pakistan and Spain. Pakistan’s share in Spain’s imports was only 0.2% of the total $325.84 billion in 2012. Similarly, Spain’s share in Pakistan’s imports was 0.1% in 2012.
Rashid said that bilateral trade can grow manifold between the two countries. Spain can help project a positive image of Pakistan in the world community, said Rashid, and urged Spanish investors to invest in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2014.
Spain is anxious to promote bilateral trade with Pakistan, stating that there exists enormous potential for investment in alternative energy resources and tourism in Pakistan. Spain’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Javier Carbajosa Sanchez, expressed this, while addressing members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here today.
He said that Spain, being a developed country with the 14th largest economy in the world, and one of the world’s leading countries in the development and production of renewable energy, solar power and wind energy, can help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis through technology transfer. Similarly, Spanish companies can materialise their cooperation in the telecommunication sector of Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan’s tourism sector has great potential which can be further promoted by improving road and rail infrastructure. He suggested that both countries should launch joint ventures in energy, infrastructure and agro-based sectors. Ambassador Sanches said that he would try to motivate Spanish companies engaged in the infrastructure development, energy and agriculture to invest in Pakistan.
He said that he would push for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the FCCI and Chambers of Commerce in Madrid and Barcelona for direct business to business contacts and linkages.
The ambassador said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and should improve its positive image in the international community. To overcome the two problems of energy and security, Pakistan can improve its economic strength, said Sanchez.
Earlier in his welcome address, FCCI President Engineer Suhail Bin Rashid said that Spain is an important trading partner for Pakistan. In fiscal 2012, bilateral trade stood at $611.77 million in favour of Pakistan. Pakistan exported $512.58 million worth of goods to Spain, while imports stood at $285.93 million.
He said a trade analysis shows that there is greater potential available for enhancing trade between Pakistan and Spain. Pakistan’s share in Spain’s imports was only 0.2% of the total $325.84 billion in 2012. Similarly, Spain’s share in Pakistan’s imports was 0.1% in 2012.
Rashid said that bilateral trade can grow manifold between the two countries. Spain can help project a positive image of Pakistan in the world community, said Rashid, and urged Spanish investors to invest in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2014.