“Infrastructure forms the building block of a developing economy. The city of Barcelona holds a competitive edge in the sectors of water management, waste management and port development. We have undertaken the task of developing the infrastructural status of Hong Kong, Florida, Miami among others. We intend to share our expertise in infrastructural development with the rapidly growing Indian economy as well”, said Mr. Antoni Vives, Deputy Mayor for Urban Habitat, Barcelona during an interactive meeting organised by MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai and the All India Association of Industries with a business delegation from Barcelona.

Inviting Indian business players Mr. Vives said the city of Barcelona is a capital of the maritime corridor. The port city integrated into the economy offers opportunities to prospective business men in the sectors of logistics, housing, hotels, tourism, etc. Spain is a gateway to the huge consumption markets of the European Union besides exhibiting good quality of life. It is home of skilled and cost-competent labour force. Also, the Government encourages foreign investments into the economy with easy availability of loans, subsidies on its tax structure and various other incentives, he said.

With the aim of becoming a world reference for Smart Cities, Barcelona worked to merge urban planning, ecology, and information technology to ensure the benefits of technology reach every neighborhood and improve the lives of its citizens. Barcelona’s transformational approach follows a long-term vision based on building productive, human-scale neighborhoods within a hyper-connected, high-speed and zero-emission metropolis, Mr. Vives added.

Present on the occasion was Mr. Domingo Manso Garcia, Consul General, Consulate General of Spain. Elaborating on the history of the city of Barcelona he said that the town created in the 19th century rapidly developed its maritime coastline in the 20th century. The primitive city for tourism is a treasure house of courtesy with unparallel location and beauty. Also, the city is home to an emerging fashion industry, media industry besides being a leading sea food supplier, he added.

Earlier in his welcome remarks Mr. Somesh Batra, Vice-Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai said India and Spain have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1956. Spain, the fourth largest economy in Europe is widely known for its tourism, real estate, fashion houses, architecture, wines, etc. The bilateral trade between India and Spain stands at US $4.7bn with India’s exports worth US $2.9bn while Spanish exports worth $1.8bn. Indian exports to Spain include organic chemicals, textile and garments, Iron and steel products, automotive components, marine products, leather goods. Indian imports consist of machine and mechanical appliances, vehicles and automobiles, plastic manufactures, electrical appliances, rubber and rubber products and olive oil, etc. We intend to foster greater ties with bilateral trade worth US$ 6 bn by 2015. The two nations must enhance interaction through exchange of business delegations and interactive meetings in this pursuit, he said.

December 14, 2013

From (L-R) : Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, All India Association of Industries, Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai, Mr. Antoni Vives, Deputy Mayor for Urban Habitat, Barcelona, Mr. Domingo Manso Garcia, Consul General, Consulate General of Spain, Mr. Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai during an interactive meeting organized by MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai and All India Association of Industries with a business delegation from Barcelona.