Desk Report:
Spanish businesspeople and entrepreneurs see immense potential for trade and investment in Bangladesh across sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, agribusiness, information technology, logistics, and consumer goods.
On Thursday (September 24, 2026), Angel Asensio, President of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the market potential in Bangladesh during a seminar titled “Bangladesh: A Strategic Partner in the Global Economy,” held in Madrid, Spain.
Highlighting Bangladesh as one of Asia’s emerging and significant markets, he noted that the country is advancing on a path of sustainable growth and economic stability. The Madrid Chamber of Commerce President stated that the European Union is currently one of Bangladesh’s key trading partners, with the volume of trade reaching approximately €23.3 billion in 2025.
Asensio also highlighted the prospects for “green investment” in Bangladesh during the seminar. He stated that between 2018 and 2030, there are opportunities for approximately $172 billion in green investments across sectors such as green buildings, transport, climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure, and waste management. Additionally, the Madrid Chamber President identified export diversification as both a major challenge and a significant opportunity for the Bangladeshi economy.
Meanwhile, Md. Fazlul Hoque, Administrator of the FBCCI, urged European businesspeople to invest in Bangladesh. He stated that the current government is actively encouraging foreign investment. Plans are in place to offer significant incentives—such as the provision of free land—to investors in sectors like renewable energy, logistics, and infrastructure, under arrangements where the government would purchase the generated electricity at a fixed price. The FBCCI Administrator noted that while there are certain challenges regarding business and commerce in Bangladesh, there are also significant opportunities and potential for profitable investment.
During the event, he invited a business delegation from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce to visit Bangladesh. In response, the President of the Madrid Chamber stated that plans are underway for a high-level business delegation to visit Bangladesh by next November.
Md. Masudur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Spain, attended the seminar organized by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce. Panelists included Nuria Lopez, President of EuroCham Bangladesh; Pablo Araujo, International Trade Consultant; Tarek Elba, Executive Vice President (Asia & Africa) at Molins; and Ana Rhodes, Global Director of Sustainability at Recover.
Nahian Rahman Rochi, a member of Invest Bangladesh, and Mohammad Hasan Arif, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, joined the seminar via video conference to highlight the trade and investment potential in Bangladesh.
The event concluded with a B2B networking session between business representatives from Bangladesh and Spain.
Also present at the event were FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, members of the visiting FBCCI business delegation, and representatives from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and EuroCham Bangladesh.
It is worth noting that an FBCCI business delegation embarked on an 11-day tour of Europe on September 23 with the aim of boosting bilateral trade with various European nations, establishing industrial linkages, and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The 26-member delegation is led by FBCCI Administrator Md. Fazlul Hoque.
