Spain explores trade, investment avenues

Spanish Ambassador Carlos Aragon Gil de la Serna met Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) President Usman Shaukat to explore ways of deepening trade, investment and economic ties between Pakistan and Spain, according to The Express Tribune. Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi and Vice President Fahad Barlas joined the talks, along with former chamber presidents, committee members and many RCCI members. The discussion also covered cultural relations, and the ambassador later took part in the chamber's Independence Day celebrations.

Shaukat stressed the large scope for growing bilateral trade and called for closer business-to-business ties, easier market access and deeper collaboration across investment, technology and innovation. He added that Spain holds attractive prospects for Pakistani exporters, notably in textiles and agro-based goods. In return, Pakistan could draw on Spanish know-how in farm modernisation, precision agriculture, irrigation, mechanisation, greenhouse methods and water resource management.

The meeting came after recent consultations on setting up a joint working group for agriculture, which could offer a structured platform for wider farm-sector ties. Rice, ethanol, potatoes and maize have been singled out as goods with strong export potential for Spain, while textiles remain among Pakistan's leading shipments there. At the event, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, the Prime Minister's Youth Programme chairman and chief guest, handed the envoy a football made in Pakistan for the FIFA World Cup.