Pakistani exports to Spain up by 50 percent

Bureau report

PESHAWAR: Pakistani exports to Spain increased by 50 percent after attaining the GSP-plus status and it could be increased to $3 billion from its present volume of $1 billion.

The traders and the businessmen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have sought facilities and simplification of the issuance procedure for visa to Spain to further boost trade with one of the important European countries.

They have also conveyed their concerns in this regard to Miguel Pena, Spain Commercial Consul in Islamabad, during his visit to Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Tuesday. SCCI President Zahidullah Shinwari and Miguel Pena spoke briefly on the occasion and agreed to play their roles in convincing Spanish investors to invest in the tourism and other sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pena informed in his remarks that Spain was importing 90 percent of its textile products from Pakistan. He said that Pakistanwas producing a number of quality fruits and it could earn huge foreign exchange through the processing of these fruits.

Pena said that Spain had become fast economic growing European state and 15th bigger economic power in the world. The diplomat also urged the traders and concerned authorities to take advantage of the technical knowhow for environment-friendly electricity being produced in Spain.

He said that Abbottabad and tribal belt have best climate for growing olive and Spain could provide expertise in this regard. Zahid Shinwari said that Pakistan could also raise its imports of machinery for ceramics, light weapons and olive oil.

He asked the Spaniard guest that visa regime should be simplified for the local traders and the traders exchange visited should also be facilitated so that the two sides could benefit from one another's expertise.