Published: 11:33 AM, 27 September 2026
Spanish investors eye Bangladesh’s textiles, pharma, green energy sectors
Spanish business leaders and entrepreneurs have expressed strong interest in Bangladesh’s growing trade and investment potential, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, renewable energy, agribusiness, information technology, logistics and consumer goods.They made the observation at a seminar titled “Bangladesh: A Strategic Partner in the Global Economy,” held in Madrid on Thursday, where business representatives from Bangladesh and Spain discussed opportunities for expanding bilateral trade, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and establishing stronger industrial linkages.
President of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce Ángel Asensio highlighted Bangladesh’s expanding market potential, describing the country as one of Asia’s emerging and increasingly important markets.
He said Bangladesh is moving towards sustainable economic growth and greater stability, while emphasising the importance of the European Union as one of the country’s major trading partners.
According to Asensio, bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the European Union reached around €23.3 billion in 2025, reflecting the importance of the European market to Bangladesh’s economy and the potential for further commercial engagement.
He also highlighted the growing scope for green investment in Bangladesh, noting that the country could attract around $172 billion in green investment during 2018-2030 in sectors such as green buildings, sustainable transport, climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure and waste management.
Asensio identified export diversification as both a major challenge and a significant opportunity for Bangladesh, particularly as the country seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in international markets and broaden its export base beyond traditional products.
Speaking at the event, FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque called upon European businesses, including Spanish companies, to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh and take advantage of the government’s initiatives to encourage foreign investment.
He said the government is considering major incentives for investors in strategic sectors, including renewable energy, logistics and infrastructure.
According to Hoque, investors in these sectors may receive facilities such as free land, while the government would purchase electricity generated by renewable-energy projects at predetermined prices.
He acknowledged that Bangladesh still faces some challenges in doing business but said the country offers considerable opportunities for investors seeking long-term and profitable ventures.
The FBCCI administrator also invited a business delegation from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce to visit Bangladesh to explore investment opportunities and establish direct links with local businesses.
Responding to the invitation, the president of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce said a high-level Spanish business delegation is planning to visit Bangladesh by November.
The proposed visit is expected to provide an opportunity for Spanish companies to gain first-hand knowledge of Bangladesh’s investment environment, identify potential business partners and explore sector-specific opportunities.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Spain Md Masudur Rahman attended the seminar, which was 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 took part in the panel discussion.
The panel focused on Bangladesh’s economic prospects, investment opportunities, sustainability, export diversification and the scope for deeper commercial cooperation between Bangladeshi and Spanish companies.
Member of Invest Bangladesh Nahian Rahman Rochi and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohammad Hasan Arif joined the seminar virtually and highlighted Bangladesh’s trade and investment prospects.
They also discussed the opportunities available to foreign investors and the potential for greater integration of Bangladeshi businesses into global value chains.
A B2B networking session was organised at the concluding part of the programme, bringing together Bangladeshi and Spanish business representatives to explore potential partnerships, trade links and investment opportunities.
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.
The seminar came as Bangladesh seeks to deepen economic engagement with European countries and diversify its sources of foreign investment.
A 26-member FBCCI business delegation, led by Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque, left for an 11-day tour of Europe on September 23 with the objectives of boosting bilateral trade, establishing industrial linkages and attracting foreign direct investment.
The delegation’s European tour is part of broader efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s business relationships with European markets and encourage international companies to explore opportunities in the country.
