KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s President A. Abdullah Zaki has asserted upon the dire need of Russian assistance in gas exploration, development of railways and reconstruction of power sector.
Speaking with the Russian delegation, headed by Consul General of Russian Federation Oleg N. Avedeev during his visit to KCCI, along with the delegates from Railways, Gas, Power Sector Development and other sectors. Recalling Pak-Russian cooperation in the past, Abdullah Zaki emphasized to replicate cooperation on the lines of Pakistan Steel Mills in the areas of heavy machinery, engineering, automobiles, revamping railways, energy from coal, and other areas of national interest.
Exchanging views he said Pakistan could seek the Russian help to integrate and boost its energy and power sector with technologies transfer. By strong bilateral trade and larger cooperation, he said, between Pakistan and Russia would bring prosperity and integrity to the region. He hopes that the bilateral relations would further improve in the future as Russian Government has shown interest in signing Preferential and Free Trade Agreement. It could be foreseen in the new development that there will be a big share for the Russian Federation in the mining and manufacturing of coal based power generation, particularly in Thar Coal as Russia is number one in energy sector.
Consul General of Russian Federation Oleg N. Avdeev, while sharing his views said the people of both countries don’t know much about each other, so interaction must be enhanced by visiting both countries. It could play a vital role in augmenting bilateral trade. He also assured that today’s visit would be the first step to have more ventures.
Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz was of the view that visit of Russian President to Pakistan will open new avenues of bilateral relations. He said that Pakistan Steel Mills is going through critical phase and needed to be revamped with the cooperation of Russia. He also said Pakistan needs to emphasise more on Russia, China and SAARC Countries rather focusing on European Countries because $280 million exports with Russia is a very trifling number which could be enhanced. He also appraised the role of Consul General in promoting business. Paradigm shift was required from trade of commodities to machinery and equipment. He further asked to construct Civil Nuclear Transfer with Russia likewise with US and India.
