Prospects for greater trade with Spain bright: PM

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh desires enhanced trade and economic cooperation with Spain, describing the prospects for much higher trade volume between Bangladesh and Spain as 'bright', reports UNB. She said this when the newly appointed Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh Luis Tejeda Chacon called on her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed the newsmen about the outcome of the meeting. He said Sheikh Hasina expressed the view that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Spain are 'excellent' and the two countries share common views on many international issues in multilateral platforms like the United Nations (UN) and World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Spanish envoy said about 50,000 expatriate Bangladeshis living in Spain are contributing a lot to the economic development of his country. Luis termed the Bangladeshi expatriates as 'hardworking, sincere, and law abiding'. He lauded Sheikh Hasina for her leadership in various regional and international forums, especially those to do with climate change. The Prime Minister said her government is imparting training to the people on the laws and language of the concerned country before sending them to work there. Later, former Prime Minister of Ontario province of Canada and Chairman of G&G Global Solutions George Smith Erman also called on the Prime Minister at her office. During the meeting, Hasina said Bangladesh values its relationship with Canada immensely, as it considers Canada a close friend and important development partner. She said her government is ready to take cooperation between the two countries to new levels in the areas of not only trade and commerce, but also in the field of socio-economic development and other issues of common concern like climate change, and women's empowerment. The visiting Canadian Minister said his country is interested to invest in various sectors in Bangladesh including water purification and power generation, especially renewable energy sources like windmill and biogas. Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Sheikh Wahiduzzaman, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present. Another report adds: Canada has shown interest to invest in Bangladesh's electricity generation, water treatment, construction and jute sectors under the Public Private Partnership (PPP). Former Deputy Premier of Ontario Province of Canada and Minister for Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman said this when a four-member delegation, led by him, met FBCCI president AK Azad on the day. Smitherman sought cooperation from the FBCCI in utilising their investment potentials in the sectors. He said Bangladesh could be an foreign direct investment (FDI) destination as the country's economic growth rate and export earnings were good despite global 'recession'. Smitherman also said they are more interested to invest in electricity generation, water treatment, and high value-added RMG and jute sectors if Bangladesh provides a favorable environment. Azad thanked Smitherman for his interest to invest in Bangladesh, and said the country could be a suitable place for foreign investment as government policies are going to be more flexible and investment-friendly. FBCCI first vice-president M Jashim Uddin, vice-president Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, directors Obaidur Rahman, SM Nurul Hoque, President of Bangladesh-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry KB Ahmed, Byung-Duk Ahn, Dr Chul Seung Kee, Elliot Jinhwa Pak and Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad were also present.