Spain plans trade office in Mumbai

Spain will soon open a trade and tourism office in Mumbai with an eye on improving bilateral economic relations with India.

The office would come up as part of Spanish government's Comprehensive Market Development Plan for India for 2005-07. Secretary of State for Tourism and Trade of Spain Pedro Mejia said at the opening ceremony of Indo-Spanish Investment and Business Cooperation Forum in New Delhi on Monday.

Asserting need for better connectivity for enhancing existing trade, Mejia said, "We believe it is critical to open direct flight connections between our countries as soon as possible."

He said Spain attaches great importance to India, which is emerging as a strong economy.

Identifying three areas for bilateral cooperation, he said it was necessary to promote awareness about Spanish technology in India at the first instance to promote image of products made in Spain.

Second key area relates to market access and facilitating business through enhanced dialogue under European Union and World Trade Organisation framework while third was to provide necessary tools like financing facilities and market information to businessmen.

Earlier, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry EVKS Elangovan said food processing, IT and infrastructure as some areas for Indo-Spanish cooperation.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry president elect Saroj Kumar Poddar termed the Indo-Spanish forum as a gateway to Latin America.