Spanish envoy visits RCCI

Rawalpindi: Pak-Spanish business day observed at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Thursday.

Spanish envoy Carlos Morales who was the chief guest on the occasion said his country is dedicated to increase trade relations with Pakistan and could provide assistance in energy sector in Pakistan especially in renewable and alternate energy resources like wind, solar and hydro as country is facing immense energy crisis.

He said that this is my third visit to chamber and I feel Pakistan as my second home. He appreciated the role of RCCI in boosting trade activities in the region.

He said despite Britain exit from European Union, Spain gives great importance to Pakistan for its trade relations and there is an equal opportunity for Pakistan to capture European trade markets. The ambassador informed the members that tourism now turned into an industry and it covers 11 per cent of its GDP so there was a need to explore this area and Pakistan could take a huge benefit from it.

Earlier the ambassador was welcomed by RCCI President Raja Amer Iqbal. 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 Pakistani business community and his country is eager to increase the trade volume in sports goods, surgical instruments, poultry, agro, engineering, textile, gem and jewellery, leather and marble sector.

Raja Amer Iqbal said that South Asia, China, India, and central Asian countries covered half of the world’s total population. Keeping in mind, the consumer market, this area offered attractive opportunities for foreign investors. The bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Spain is just 900 million dollars and this has to be increased, RCCI president urged.  The envoy paid a 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.