Bangladesh can use Spanish knowhow to improve in agriculture: envoy

Spain holds the first position in producing agricultural products and in agro-processing business and Bangladesh can use the Spanish experience and technological knowhow to improve in this sector, Spanish Ambassador Francisco de Asís Benítez Salas said today.

There is huge scope to improve bilateral trade between two countries, he said.

The Spanish envoy made the comments when called on Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Rizwan Rahman at the DCCI office in Bangladesh's capital.

Salas also proposed to use their experience and knowledge to preserve the historic and heritage sites in the south Asian country, so that Bangladesh can attract more tourists from home and abroad.

In fiscal year 2019-20, the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Spain stood at $2.37 billion, of which Bangladesh's export and import was $2.19 billion and $177.98 million respectively, the DCCI president said.

He opined that export from Bangladesh to Spain is heavily concentrated on garment products, but Bangladeshi footwear, carpet and floor covering, jute goods, bicycle, plastic, consumer goods and dairy products also have huge potential here.

Rahman urged Spanish entrepreneurs to invest in infrastructure, railways, healthcare, agro machineries and agro product processing, tourism, IT and ITES, automotive and active pharmaceutical ingredient sector of Bangladesh.

DCCI Senior Vice President NKA Mobin, Vice President Monowar Hossain and Commercial Counselor of Spanish Embassy Francisco Javier Yepes were also present in the meeting.