Spain celebrates its National Day on 12 October. This year, the occasion comes at a time when Spain's image on the world stage has gained a new dimension following its championship success in football. Alongside its sporting achievements, Spain also holds an important position in the global economy, trade, technology and international partnerships.
For Bangladesh, Spain is not only a major export market but can also become an important partner in investment, technology, logistics, tourism and services.
Bangladesh and Spain have maintained diplomatic relations for more than five decades. During this period, bilateral trade has also expanded. Spain has emerged as one of Bangladesh's important markets, particularly for ready-made garments.
In fiscal year 2023–24, Bangladesh exported goods worth approximately $3.47 billion to Spain. This increased to around $3.55 billion in 2024–25 and reached approximately $3.79 billion in 2025–26.
This achievement is significant, but Bangladesh's exports remain heavily dependent on ready-made garments. There is considerable scope to increase exports of leather goods, footwear, jute and jute products, home textiles, ceramics, frozen food, light engineering products, as well as information technology and digital services. Spain's goods imports amounted to approximately US$502 billion in 2025. The market is therefore substantial; what Bangladesh now needs is greater product diversification and improved quality in line with market demand.
In the European market, supplying products at low prices alone is no longer sufficient. Product quality, environmental standards, labour rights, carbon emissions, traceability and reliable supply chains are becoming increasingly important.
Therefore, alongside expanding exports, Bangladesh must upgrade its production and supply chain systems to meet international standards.
At the same time, Bangladesh–Spain relations should not remain confined to a "buyer–seller" relationship. Spanish companies have significant opportunities to invest in Bangladesh in renewable energy, green technology, tourism, food processing, information technology, infrastructure and logistics.
The logistics sector deserves particular attention.
Although Bangladesh's import and export activities are expanding, investment in modern warehousing, inland container depots (ICDs), cold chains, logistics parks, freight forwarding and digital supply chains remains inadequate. If experienced Spanish companies invest in these areas, Bangladesh could gain access to advanced technology, modern management practices and new employment opportunities. At the same time, Spanish businesses could become long-term partners in Bangladesh's rapidly expanding commercial market.
From expo to business, from business to investment
Against this backdrop, the Spain-Bangladesh Expo 2026, scheduled to be held in Seville on 26 October, is particularly important. The Expo will create opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, importers and exporters from both countries to connect directly. Such engagement can open the door to new business relationships, investments and joint ventures.
Organised under the leadership of Muhammad Ashiqur Rahman, president of the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI), the Expo is particularly significant given the participation of government and private-sector representatives. Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, MP, will inaugurate the Expo.
The participation of representatives from the government and business communities of Andalusia will add further significance to the event. In particular, the presence of Antonio Sanz Cabello, vice-president of the Government of Andalusia, and Miguel Russ, president of Seville's business organisation, could create new opportunities for direct engagement between Bangladeshi businesses and investors. Stronger links with regional government authorities and the local business community could also facilitate joint investment, technology cooperation and business expansion.
The connection with Seville and Andalusia carries another important dimension.
Spain's links with Europe, the Mediterranean region and North Africa can create new market and partnership opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses. Spain should therefore be viewed not merely as an export destination but also as a potential gateway and partner for accessing the wider European economic landscape.
However, the success of the Expo should not be measured simply by the number of participating companies or visitors. Its real success will be determined afterwards by how many meaningful business-to-business (B2B) contacts are established, how many business agreements are reached, how many investment proposals move forward and how many new projects are actually launched. In other words, "from meetings to business, from business to investment, and from investment to long-term partnership" should be the core objective of the Expo.
Follow-up activities after the Expo will therefore be equally important. Regular communication with potential investors and business partners, exchanges of business delegations, the provision of investment-related information and institutional support for project implementation must be ensured. The Expo should not remain a one-day event; rather, it should evolve into a continuous platform for strengthening business relations between the two countries.
Bangladesh, too, must prepare itself. It needs to ensure internationally competitive products, timely delivery, environmentally friendly production, digital traceability and transparent business processes. At the same time, more effective government policy support is needed to promote export diversification and attract investment.
Spain's National Day is therefore not merely a national celebration; it is also an opportunity to rethink Bangladesh–Spain economic relations. Bangladesh's objective should be to expand and diversify its exports of goods and services to Spain while simultaneously making effective use of Spanish investment, technology and expertise in Bangladesh.
The Spain-Bangladesh Expo 2026 could be an important starting point for this new journey. Hopefully, the event will help move relations between the two countries beyond the traditional buyer–seller framework towards investment, technology cooperation and long-term economic partnership.
Khairul Alam Suzan is a member of the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI), a former vice-president of BAFFA, and a director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.