Staff Reporter: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for robust trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Spain for mutual benefits.

"We want to enhance business between Bangladesh and Spain," she said as Spanish Ambassador here Gabriel Maria Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.

Thursday Prime Minister's Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed the newsmen after the meeting.

According to Khan, the premier called on the Spanish envoy to take initiatives for boosting up his country's investment in Bangladesh.

In this connection, she said her government is establishing some 100 special economic zones in Bangladesh.

"Spanish investors can also make investment there as we want to see more investments from Spain," she added.

The premier also sought his country's support to Bangladesh for its post LDC graduation period.

The meeting was also informed that there will be a negotiation for partnership agreement between the two countries which would start in September next, the PM's press secretary said.

There are 60,000 people living in Spain at present.

The prime minister also called on Spain to take more Bangladeshis especially from its IT sector.

The Spanish ambassador said currently his country only imports RMG from Bangladesh while there is a Spanish investment in Bangladesh's cement sector.

He also highly appreciated Bangladesh's budget for this fiscal, saying the government has given importance on education and social safety net.

"This is very much important for us. Your increased interest and allocation in social safety net matched our country as well," he added.

The prime minister also thanked her Spanish counterpart for inviting her to visit Spain through the ambassador.

Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.

Biniyougbarta/SAM//