The investors of Russia were keen to explore business
opportunities in Pakistan and for this purpose, wanted to further strengthen
trade and investment cooperation with Pakistani counterparts. This was said by
Stanislav L. KOROLEV, Head of Moscow Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Commission for Pakistan while addressing business community at Islamabad
Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He visited ICCI leading a business delegation
of Mosco CCI and discussed various options for promoting business collaboration
between the private sectors of both countries.

Stanislav L. KOROLEV said that Russia has advanced technology in industrial
sector and Pakistani entrepreneurs could better promote their business by
enhancing close cooperation with Russian counterparts. He said that Moscow CCI
was sending its delegations to 40-45 countries every year and they were now
taking great interest in Pakistan for business prospects. He said that ICCI was
playing a vibrant role in trade promotion of Pakistan Russian business
community has also acknowledged it. He invited ICCI to should take its
delegation to Moscow for B2B meetings with Russian counterparts and assured
that his Chamber would cooperate in connecting them with right partners.

Speaking at the occasion, Muhammad Ahmed Waheed, President, Islamabad
Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that despite great potential, bilateral
trade between Pakistan and Russia was far less than the actual potential of both
countries and stressed that both should encourage frequent exchange of trade
delegations to explore all untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said that
Pakistan exporters were now focusing on Russia and Central Asian Countries for
trade and exports and Russia could act as a gateway for Pakistan to get easy
access to CIS markets. He said that Russian investors should transfer technology
to Pakistan and set up JVs in areas of interest. He said that many special
economic zones would be set up under CPEC in Pakistan and urged that Russian
investors should explore JVs and investment in these SEZs. Accepting the
invitation of Moscow CCI, he assured that ICCI would consider taking a
delegation to Russia and would like to sign trade agreements with Russian
counterparts to further strengthen trade relations between both countries.

Tahir Abbasi Senior Vice President and Saif ur Rahman Vice President ICCI said
that Pakistan could export Kinnow and other fruits to Russia for which enhanced
collaboration between private sectors of both countries was needed. Khalid
Chaudhry and others also spoke at the occasion and offered useful suggestions
for improving bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and
Russia.