Spain business community sees huge trade, investment potential in Bangladesh
Madrid Chamber president identifies potential in textiles, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy and other sectors.
Highlights:
- Spanish businesses see opportunities across key Bangladeshi sectors
- Bangladesh offers $172bn in potential green investment through 2030
- FBCCI urges European companies to invest in Bangladesh
- Madrid Chamber plans business delegation visit by November
Spanish business leaders and entrepreneurs see significant trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh's textiles, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, agribusiness, information technology, logistics and consumer goods sectors.
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They made the observation at a seminar titled "Bangladesh: A Strategic Partner in the Global Economy", held in Madrid on Thursday, according to a press release issued yesterday.
Madrid Chamber of Commerce President Ángel Asensio highlighted Bangladesh's market potential, describing the country as one of Asia's emerging and important markets.
He said Bangladesh is moving towards sustainable growth and economic stability, while noting that the European Union is one of the country's major trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching around €23.3 billion in 2025.
Asensio also highlighted the potential for green investment in Bangladesh. He said there are opportunities for around $172 billion in green investment in Bangladesh during 2018–2030 in areas including green buildings, transport, climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure and waste management.
He identified export diversification as both a major challenge and an important opportunity for Bangladesh's economy.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Md Fazlul Haque called on European businesses to invest in Bangladesh, saying the government is encouraging foreign investment.
He said there are plans to offer major incentives, including free land for investors in the renewable energy, logistics and infrastructure sectors, while the government would purchase electricity from such projects at fixed prices.
Although Bangladesh faces some challenges in doing business, he said the country offers significant opportunities and potential for profitable investment.
The FBCCI administrator also invited a business delegation from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce to visit Bangladesh.
In response, the Madrid Chamber president said a high-level business delegation is planning to visit Bangladesh around November.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Spain Md Masudur Rahman attended the seminar organised by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce.
EuroCham Bangladesh President Nuria Lopez, international trade consultant Pablo Araujo, Molins Executive Vice President for Asia and Africa Tarek Elba, and Recover Global Director of Sustainability Ana Rhodes participated in the panel discussion.
Invest Bangladesh member Nahian Rahman Rochi and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohammad Hasan Arif joined the seminar via video conference and highlighted Bangladesh's trade and investment prospects.
A B2B networking session between Bangladeshi and Spanish business representatives was held at the conclusion of the programme.
FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir and members of the FBCCI business delegation visiting Spain, along with representatives of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and EuroCham Bangladesh, also attended the event.
A 26-member FBCCI business delegation, led by Administrator Md Fazlul Haque, left for an 11-day tour of Europe on 23 September with the aim of boosting bilateral trade with European countries, establishing industrial linkages and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
