Spain eager to increase trade volume with Pakistan: Carlos Morales

RAWALPINDI, March 16: Spanish envoy Carlos Morales said that his country is dedicated to increase trade relations with Pakistan and can provide assistance in renewable energy sector in Pakistan, especially in wind power, as the country is facing immense energy crisis.
He said Pakistan must take advantages of GSP plus status to capture European trade markets. The ambassador informed that tourism has now turned into an industry and it covered 11 percent of its GDP so there is a need to explore this area and Pakistan could take a huge benefit from it.
He further added that his embassy would be in touch with the chamber to increase the bilateral ties and bridge the gap between the business communities of the both countries. Spain had a fastest growing economy and it was among the 11th largest investor in the world, he added.
He was exchanging these views with Rawalpindi Chamber President Mian Humayun Parvez during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Wednesday.
Senior vice president Saqib Rafiq, former president Syed Ali Reza, former vice president Chaudhry Iqbal, members of the executive committee and a large number of traders were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, the ambassador was welcomed by the RCCI president. A brief presentation on RCCI current activities and upcoming events was shown to the ambassador.
The Spanish envoy thanked the chamber president and members for inviting him and said that Spain always get an overwhelming response from the Pakistani business community and his country is eager to increase the trade volume in renewable energy, infra structure, agro, engineering, textile, gem and jewelry, leather and marble sector.
The ambassador paid a huge compliment to the RCCI on its efforts and dedication to promote business and commerce through the exchange of visits and expos between the two countries. Half a dozen Spanish companies delegation will visit Pakistan this summer, he added. Commercial counselor, Eric Rovinas who was accompanying the Spanish envoy, has an interactive session with traders.
Speaking on the occasion President Mian Humayun Parvez said that there is a huge scope for expansion in trade and the private sector has the responsibility to be a front-runner in creating new avenues of establishing trade and investments relations.
He said that sustainable efforts are needed to give boost to bilateral trade that is much below the respective potential of the two countries. President RCCI said that current bilateral trade volume between the two countries is around $1.2 billion.
He said that auto industry is growing in Pakistan, we need cooperation and assistance from Spain to capitalize this sector. Chamber to chamber and business to business meetings will be good edition in increase the trade ties, he added. – DNA