ISLAMABAD: Spain Ambassador Javier Carbajosa emphasized that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan’s geographical location and Pak-China economic corridor offered plenty of opportunities to investors. He said that he would motivate the Spanish companies to explore investment and joint ventures opportunities in Pakistan, especially in renewable energy.
Addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the ambassador informed that Spain was one of the pioneers in wind and renewable energy production in Europe, adding that his country possessed advanced expertise in the construction of ports, roads, highways and airports and it was ready to help Pakistan in energy and infrastructure development.
Mr Carbajosa revealed that tourism contributed 20 percent to Spain’s GDP while Pakistan possessed many beautiful tourism destinations and it was another area where both countries could enhance collaboration.
The Spanish He said businessmen of both countries have to play key role in promoting bilateral trade, but lack of knowledge and lack of interaction between private sectors of both countries needed to be overcome to improve trade relations. He stressed that both countries should enhance exchange of business delegations to explore new avenues of business partnerships and assured that Embassy of Spain would play facilitative role to achieve these goals.
In his welcome address, Acting Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Muhammad Shakeel Munir said that in 2012, Pakistan’s share in Spain’s total imports was only 0.2% while Spain’s share in Pakistan’s total imports was 0.1% while two countries had greater potential for enhancing trade. He stressed that renewed efforts should be made to improve bilateral trade ties.
