Bangladesh Takes New Initiative to Attract Spanish Investment
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam has called on Spanish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh and help expand the country’s exports to the Spanish market. She said Bangladesh offers significant investment opportunities across several sectors and that these opportunities could help strengthen trade relations between the two countries. She made the call while inaugurating the third Bangladesh–Spain Expo 2026 in Seville, Spain.
The state minister said Bangladesh has strong investment potential in pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear, agro-processing, information technology, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. She added that Bangladesh was working to diversify its exports, attract foreign investment and create a business-friendly environment.
The event was attended by Bangladesh’s ambassador to Spain, ministers of the Andalusian government, senators, local representatives and businesspeople from both countries. Around 40 Bangladeshi and Spanish companies showcased products from various sectors, including ready-made garments, leather, jute products, agro-processing, chemicals and household goods.
Shama Obaed Islam highlighted the global market potential of Bangladesh’s traditional “golden fibre”, jute. She said there were opportunities to expand the innovative use of jute in modern fashion, design and eco-friendly products. She added that introducing new products to international markets and encouraging creative initiatives could increase demand for Bangladeshi jute goods.
She also said the development of the creative economy, including design, fashion and cultural industries, could play an important role in promoting innovation and creating jobs. The state minister praised the initiatives of the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry to strengthen communication, exchange knowledge and build business ties between the two countries.
She also highlighted the contributions of the late President Ziaur Rahman and the late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to the development of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry. The one-day expo aims to strengthen ties between Bangladeshi and Spanish businesses, increase Bangladesh’s exports to Spain, and create new opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and sustainable production.
The organisers expect the exhibition to establish new business connections between entrepreneurs from the two countries. They also hope it will open up new opportunities for Bangladeshi products in the Spanish market and increase the potential for foreign investment across various sectors, helping expand Bangladesh–Spain trade relations.
