“Spanish experience in agriculture, water resources tourism worth emulating”

Kathmandu, October 12 : Experts have pointed out that Nepal could learn much from Spain in the promotion of new knowledge in agriculture, tourism, water resources development, among others.
Giving the example of Spain, which has been achieving the second highest economic prosperity among the countries in the European Union after France, attracting tourists more than its population, they said it has achieved the economic prosperity mainly from the tourism revenue.
The participants of an interaction programme organized by Nepal-Spain Friendship Association on the occasion of the National Day of Spain here today suggested Nepal could learn from the progress made by Spain in the mechanization of agriculture and hydropower development.
The population of Spain is around 46.4 million. Annually, 80 million tourists are said to visit Spain. It is known for its bull fighting sports. Catalonia and Barcelona are among the major touristic areas in Spain.
Spain is one of the largest olive oil producing country in the world. Agriculture is done on about 500 thousand square kilometers. It is also rich in energy sector.
Former secretary and foreign affairs expert Dr Madan Battarai said that Nepal could learn from Spain especially in agriculture, tourism and energy development.
Association patron and tourism entrepreneur Ambika Shrestha said Spain has achieved economic prosperity through tourism and urged the Government of Nepal to also put in special investment in tourism promotion.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Spain’s Madrid city have established sister city relations.
Association president Basudev Giri, vice-president Surendra Shrestha and general secretary Krishna Aryal spoke on the various aspects of Nepal-Spain relations and potential areas of bilateral cooperation as trade, industry and tourism. RSS