ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan is a fast growing economy and the foreign investors are showing interest in collaborating with its businessmen in different fields after the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project’s execution and improvement of the law and order situation.

This was stated by Miguel Pena Sanchez, the economic and commercial attaché of the Spanish Embassy in Islamabad, while addressing a function arranged by the Abbottabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday.

The diplomat said it was the most appropriate time for Pakistani business community to become part of the global trade.

He said Spain was a major contributor to Pakistani economy with high export and import volumes in different sectors, especially machinery.

“We are offering high-quality machinery at low prices compared to Germany and France. We specialised in manufacturing of machinery for building material like tiles and floorings,” he said.

Mr Sanchez said Pakistanis could earn billions of rupees by cultivating olive oil trees and that Spain could provide full assistance for seed provision, cultivation and marketing sectors.

He said Pakistan could become a major exporter of olive oil and reduce the burden of cooking oil import.

The diplomat said Pakistani northern areas had great tourism potential, which needed to be tapped to attract both locals and foreigners and thus, earning huge revenue.

He said Pakistani entrepreneurs could collaborate with Spanish counterparts especially in the field of mineral exploration to have access to the European markets.

“We are in close contact with Pakistani trade and business community to increase and enhance relations in every sector of economy. We are eagerly working to boost trade ties with Pakistan,” he said.

Earlier, Raja Sahir of the Abbottabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry briefed the visitors about the fields and areas where business communities of both the countries can collaborate.

He asked the diplomat to help develop linkages among trade and business bodies of Spain and Pakistan, especially in Hazara division, which lies on the main route of the multibillion dollars CPEC project.

He said the CPEC project could benefit the businessman of Spain.

Noted businessmen of Hazara division Khalid Lateef, Saleem Sarhadi and Sabir Hussain also spoke on the occasion.

Later, a question answer session was arranged in which Migueal Pena Sanchez replied to the queries of participants.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2018