'Exports to Spain record 100 percent increase'

Our exports to Spain have recorded 100 percent increase during last one and a half year despite overall decrease in exports in this period, said Faiz Ahmed Pakistani Commercial Consular in Madrid Spain. He was addressing the FCCI members along with a Spanish delegation that visited Faisalabad here today.
Faiz Ahmed said that Faisalabad is one of the biggest industrial hubs of the country after Karachi. It has a variety of industry and hence has huge potential to increase its export in almost all sectors. He said that FCCI has played a proactive role in establishing direct contacts with business communities of other countries to give a quantum jump to its exports.
Regarding increase in exports to Spain, he said that out of this, 200 million Dollar increase was possible due to the enhanced exports from Faisalabad alone. He said that about two years ago FCCI delegation headed by Engineer Suhail Bin Rashid paid an introductory visit to Spain which was reciprocated by visit from Spanish Businessmen. These visits helped both countries to have direct contacts with their counterparts in addition to exploring the opportunities available to increase the exports.
He told that this Spanish delegation headed by Suprio Bose Managing Director ACCIO had earlier visited and it is his second visit while more delegations are in the pipeline which will help in enhancing bilateral trade to manifold. Suprio Bose Managing Director ACCIO told that Spain can help Pakistan to develop its food processing industry on modern scientific lines. In this connection Spain can provide technical assistance. Similarly, Spain can also help Pakistan in renewable energy projects. "We want to build two way roads", he said and added that it will benefit both countries to further strengthen their bilateral relations.
He said that ACCIO's Asia office was established in Mumbai and he was considering setting up a satellite office in Pakistan to facilitate the import and export business from this country. Regarding an MOU between FCCI and other leading chambers of Spain Suprio said that it was a good proposal and he will discuss it with his head office. Earlier, Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain Senior Vice President FCCI welcomed the guests and delegated from Spain and told that Faisalabad is the third largest chamber of Pakistan which was also ranked second in revenue generation after Karachi. FCCI has 5000 members within its fold which belong to almost all business sectors of the city. He said that textile is the major export of Pakistan and its share is 55 percent in our national exports. Out of it 6 billion dollars in contributed by Faisalabad.
Regarding Pakistan's relations with Spain he said that 70000 Pakistanis are living in Spain which provides a solid base to develop our social as well as economic relations. He also thanked TDAP for arranging this visit of Spanish delegation to Faisalabad and hoped that TDAP will focus on Faisalabad in its future development strategies. Jameel Ahmed Vice President FCCI also underlined the importance of international trade and said that both countries have to make concerted efforts to develop their bilateral trade on progressive and sustained level.
He said that no doubt bilateral trade between Pakistan and Spain has increased yet there is still a huge gap which would be bridged in the coming years. In this connection he stressed the need for rapid exchange of trade delegations between the two countries. Former President FCCI Engineer Suhail Bin Rasheed told that we have established good relations and as a result of our efforts another Spanish delegation will visit Pakistan during next month. He announced that FCCI will also send another delegation to Spain to cultivate direct links with the business community.
Later, Mian Javed Iqbal thanked the participants of the meeting, he also presented FCCI shield to Faiz Ahmed Pakistani Commercial Consular in Madrid, Senior Vice President Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain and Vice President Jameel Ahmed also presented shields to Suprio Bose M.D. ACCIO and Alahdad Tarar Director TDAP Faisalabad respectively. Later, Chaudhry Talat Mehmood, Riazul Haq and Raja shahbaz Sharif also decorated other delegates with FCCI pins.