|| Zunaid Nomani, Madrid, Spain: The Spain-Bangladesh Expo 2026 opened in Seville, the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region, on Monday, bringing together business leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs from the two countries to explore new opportunities for trade, investment and commercial partnerships.Organised by the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI), with the support of the Bangladesh Embassy in Madrid, the expo is aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties and expanding business cooperation between Bangladesh and Spain.The event was held at the Hotel Sevilla Center, where Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam formally inaugurated the exhibition. Following the opening ceremony, she visited exhibition stalls featuring Bangladeshi and Spanish businesses and commended the organisers for their initiative.Bangladesh Ambassador to Spain Masudur Rahman, NDC, and Director General of the Western Europe and EU Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Mosharraf Hossain attended the event as special guests. Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector was represented by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan.Representing the organising chamber, SBCCI President Muhammad Ashikur Rahman and Secretary General Ashik Elahi Chowdhury were also present.The Spanish delegation included Rocío Blanco Eguren, Andalusian regional minister for employment and business; Antonio Gutiérrez Limones, a senator from Madrid and president of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee; Panama district Deputy Mayor Albert Pimentel; Manuel Parejo Guzmán, director of Seville City Council; senior representatives of the Andalusian government; and leading Spanish business figures.Speakers at the inaugural session highlighted the considerable potential for expanding trade and investment between Bangladesh and Spain, with particular emphasis on the readymade garment, leather and footwear industries.They expressed optimism that the expo would help establish stronger commercial connections between Bangladeshi enterprises and businesses in Andalusia, creating opportunities for joint investment, market expansion and long-term partnerships.For Bangladesh, the event offers an opportunity to strengthen its presence in the Spanish market while exploring avenues to diversify exports beyond traditional products. Spanish businesses, meanwhile, could benefit from closer engagement with Bangladeshi manufacturers, exporters and entrepreneurs.The gathering also underscored the importance of direct business engagement in identifying new markets, building confidence between companies and translating diplomatic relations into practical economic cooperation.Certificates were distributed among participating Bangladeshi and Spanish business organisations, while distinguished guests received commemorative crests in recognition of their participation.A business-to-business (B2B) networking session was also held in the afternoon, bringing together prospective investors, entrepreneurs and commercial representatives from both countries. The session was designed to facilitate direct exchanges, identify shared business interests and explore potential partnerships.The expo programme will continue on Tuesday, October 27, with a visit by the delegation to the Andalusian Parliament and the Seville Chamber of Commerce and Industry.A further B2B meeting between entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and Spain is scheduled to take place at the Malaga Chamber of Commerce on October 28.These engagements are expected to provide additional opportunities for business leaders to discuss cooperation and explore avenues for expanding commercial relations.The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to broaden its international economic partnerships and attract investment across key industries. Stronger engagement with Spanish businesses could help Bangladeshi companies explore new commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and strengthen their competitiveness in European markets.The success of the expo, however, will ultimately depend on how effectively the discussions and networking opportunities translate into concrete business agreements, investment commitments and sustained cooperation between the two countries. With further meetings scheduled in Seville and Malaga, the Spain-Bangladesh Expo 2026 is expected to serve as a platform for developing closer economic ties and opening new avenues for bilateral trade and investment.