I wish to begin by expressing my deep satisfaction for being in the capital of this great country to open Spain's ninth edition of Expotecnia. Personally it is the 4 th time I have the honour and pleasure to attend such an event, but in any case, I am happy to say that it is my first in Asia. This Expotecnia is the most representative exhibition of the technological capacity our enterprises have achived, and at the same time it displays the confidence Spain has in the potential of this vast market that you have to offer, undoubtedly one of the most important in the world.
India is a permanent focus of world attention and even more so this year, in which you are celebrating the 50th anniversary of your independence. Aware of the significance of the celebrations, Spain does not wish to miss the opportunity to be present on such a special occasion.
Above all I wish to express my confidence that this event marks the beginning of a decisive phase for a deeper reciprocal knowledge and appreciation between our two countries and strengthens Spain's involvement in the development of this region through the enhancement of economic relations that are still I must admitt much weaker than what we would all wish them to be.
Spain approaches India through this major effort in technological, commercial and financial co-operation that this exhibition entails both for ourselves and for the country that hosts it.
We set out to present you with the new image of our country as an industrial power, and with its technological advances in fields that are attractive to Indian professinals and businessmen who visit these premises, and to those from the neighbouring countries who will also visit them as guests.
In this way, we hope to respond to the expectations that India arouses as a country with an economy in constant progress and with a huge potential for further expansion in the future.
Through the sector meetings that have taken place this year, and at the presentations that have been held in the main industrial centres of this country, the Spanish exhibitors here today have had the chance to discover the excellent opportunities the present moment offers for the consolidation of a framework of relations centred on areas of common interest, which can only result in benefits for both countries. This year's Expotecnia has much more than a purely commercial significance; it entails an ambitious project of technological transfer and industrial co-operation, in which we invite you to take part, through the forum for investment and corporate co-operation, which will take place in parallel with this exhibition.
We address you to strengthen the links that unite us and to reaffirm out convictions regarding the values we share.
The splendour and variety of the India's landscape and history have their counterpart in Spain. Both countries preserve with pride the testimonies of the glorious past and the works of their sons and daughters who distinguished themselves by their thoughts on men and women, their circumstances and destiny.
But, above all, what brings us together in the present is the firm will of renewal with which, in recent years, we have embarked on the path that leads us to occupy our rightful place in the world order, from which to take part in the construction of the new world that is taking shape even so rapidly.
We have each, in our own way, chosen the best of our heritage in order to join our forces to achieve ambitious but attainable goals, identified with the requirements of our environment and governed by reason and efficacy, but at the same time tinged with enthusiasm and hope.
Economic structures and related activities have a prominent place in this process. They are the driving force behind the progress of our peoples and the guide that should mark out the path of our projects and even our dreams.
For the economy is not a set of mathematical formulas, but a science and art of human co-existence and a tool of peace, justice and freedom.
This is also the message that this opening day brings us, in such an ideal setting to formulate it, like the one India, and its peoples provide us with.
We expect this encounter to bear many fruit. Perhaps already the first is the achievement of this deep coincidence, precisely through the professional capacities and material and technical resources we are capable of mobilising in order to attain it in the course of these days and in those to come, when our mutual relations as a whole will mature and be enhanced.
Let me have you with this sincere wish and by having the great honor to declare Expotecnia '97 hereby oficialy opened.