Faisalabad: There was immense potential to launch joint ventures between Pakistani and Spanish companies particularly in the textile sector, said Mr. Felix Pernas Ramirez, Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Spain.
Addressing the business community in a meeting in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), he said that efforts would be expedited to ensure close liaison between the stakeholders of the two countries to capitalize these opportunities.
He said that Spain’s cotton industry was fully mechanized in 19th century while more than 160 companies are now rolling out the latest and modern spinning, weaving, apparel and dyeing machinery. He said that Pakistani textile manufacturers could benefit from Span’s design expertise and insights into the EU market. “We could also create innovative products tailored for global markets in addition to showcasing them at prominent trade shows like the Barcelona textile expo in Spain and TEXPO in Pakistan,” he added.
He said that Spain is 6th largest buyer of
Pakistani products while this year from January to September, volume of Pakistani exports to Spain was 1,095Mpound as against imports of 157Mpound .
Earlier, President FCCI Mr. Rehan Naseem Bharara introduced Faisalabad and FCCI and said that bilateral trade between Spain and Pakistan is approximately $ 1.72 bn per annum and there was possibility to further increase it up to $ 5 bn. He said that Faisalabad is a very peaceful industrial city and the chamber was ready to provide due protocol and security to the Spanish buyers visiting Pakistan. He proposed to organize exhibitions in both countries to strengthen bilateral relations. He suggested a MOU between FCCI and Barcelona chambers.
Kashif Zia former Executive Member FCCI also addressed the meeting.
Later Senior Vice President FCCI Qaisar Shams Gucha offered vote of thanks while President Rehan Naseem Bharara presented FCCI shield to Mr. Felix Pernas who also recorded his impressions in the FCCI visitor’s book.
Ms. Elena Alonso Martin First Secretary /
Consul Embassy of Spain, former President FCCI Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz, Chaudhary Talat Mehmood, Executive Members Muhammad Ali, Shahid Mujeed, Naveed Akram Sheikh, Muhammad Haroon Waheed and Abdul Qayyum were also present during this meeting.