New Delhi, Apr 20 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today left for a week-long visit to Spain and Poland.

During her visit, Patil is likely to sign a number of bilateral agreements to further boost India’s relations with the European countries.

Patil is being accompanied by Minister of State for Industrial Policy and Promotion Ashwani Kumar and a business delegation comprising members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers and Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Issues like economy and fight against terrorism would form the vital part of discussions between President Patil and her counterparts in Spain and Poland.

The President is also expected to address the Indian community there.

This will be the first-ever State visit by an Indian President to Spain and the fourth such visit to Poland.

The CII in its recent report has underlined potential areas of development and cooperation between India and Spain. It has stated that the crucial sectors, which should be concentrated on, include IT, environmental technology, aerospace, automobile, infrastructure, transportation, pharmaceutical, SMEs and textiles.

India and Spain should consider having bilateral investment treaties as a tool to enhance investments, the report said, adding that New Delhi could be a gateway for Spanish enterprises to the South-East Asian region. (ANI)