Spain-Punjab tie-up in various fields

Spain's Ambassador to India Gustavo De Aristegui on Tuesday offered to forge collaboration with the Punjab government on water treatment technology, agro and food processing, bio-waste management and renewable energy.

The envoy, who met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, showed keen interest in seeking partnership with the state government on key areas of strategic development by sharing latest technological advancements and expertise especially in the water treatment and renewable energy, wherein Spain had a proven track record of undisputed world over leadership.

Aristegui told Badal that he would lead a high-level delegation for detailed discussions with the state government. He said Spain could also help the Punjab government provide hi-end technology to manage the problem of solid waste.

The visiting ambassador said the municipalities in two Spanish towns of Barcelona and Madrid were having the state-of-the-art mechanism of solid waste management, which could be replicated in the major towns of the state.

Aristegui also offered to render expertise in food technology and agro processing sector to ensure higher remunerative returns to the farmers for their produce after value addition.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal would also lead a delegation to Barcelona later this month to attend the Smart City Expo 2014.

Meanwhile, Aristegui said he would be eager to welcome them and would also arrange meetings with the renowned industrialists and entrepreneurs in these fields to further crystallise Tuesday's proposals.

The chief minister asked the chief executive officer of Industrial Promotion Bureau to tie up and pursue with the interested companies to set up their ventures in Punjab as a follow-up to the proposed meeting.