Monday, 07th October 2013
Russian Business Delegation Explores Trade,
Investment Possibilities
Monday, 07 October 2013 21:57
Posted by Imaduddin
224
KARACHI: A business delegation from Russian Federation including representatives of world's top three
Russian companies engaged in gas, coal and railway sectors visited KCCI here on Monday to see trade and
investment opportunities. The delegation also searched for Pakistani partners.
The Russian firms included in the delegation are known for gas exploration, generating power from gas,
manufacture of gas turbines, coal development and railways.
The exchange of business information and interaction with private sector people here is aimed at enhancing
bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Pakistan including initiation of joint ventures in
diverse sectors.
The delegation is on visit to Karachi and Lahore for the next couple of days.
Headed by Consul General of Russian Federation in Karachi, Oleg N. Avdeev, the delegation includes
Associate Patron of Pakistan Russia Business Forum, Alexey A. Strekalov, Deputy Commercial Director of
M/s. Saturn Gas Turbines, Bllyk Igor, Deputy Head of Design and Development Department of M/s. RPM
Group, Lialkov Aleksandr.
Prominent Pakistanis interacting with the delegation include Founder President of Pakistan Russian Business
Forum Abdul Rauf Tabani, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Aamir Abdullah
Zaki, Senior Vice President Muffasar Atta Malik, Vice President Muhammad Idress, former president KCCI
Majyd Aziz.
Consul General of Russian Federation in Karachi Oleg N. Avdeev said the people of both countries do not
know much about each other. Thus, interaction must be enhanced by exchange of visits especially of the
businessmen. This would play a vital role in augmenting bilateral trade.
He noted that today's visit of Russian delegation would be the first step to have more ventures between the two
countries.
He said besides railways Russia could cooperate and support Pakistan in power sector, gas exploration and
conversion of gas into power generation, coal fields development meant for power generation, supply of
machinery and equipment for power plants.
To a question regarding revival, modernisation and expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills by Russia, he very
cautiously said it was under discussion but specific decision was awaited till Joint Ministerial Working Group's
meeting scheduled in November 2013 in Moscow.
To another query, he said there was no ban on the import of vegetable and fruits from Pakistan. However, he
said, there were certain standards to meet before reaching the Russian market.
Associated Patron of Pakistan Russia Business Forum, Alexey Strekalov said this visit of Russian delegation
would provide an opportunity of face to face meetings between the two potential business communities which
might lead to starting new ventures for the good of both the nations.
He said Russian businessmen wanted partners in Pakistan.
The delegation noted that Pakistan has a lot of potential for trade and investment.
Deputy Commercial Director of M/s. Saturn Gas Turbines, Bllyk Igor said that most Russian companies were
interested in development of coal based energy sector apart from solar energy besides development of gas fields
and converting gas into power.
Deputy Head of Design and Development Department of M/s. RPM Group dealing with Railways sector,
Lialkov Aleksandr said that his company was looking for the assembly of railway machinery in Pakistan as "we
see a promising market here."
President KCCI, Aamir Abdullah Zaki underlined the need for Russian assistance in gas exploration,
development /strengthening of railways and power sector especially from coal, in heavy machinery, engineering
and automobiles and other potential areas. He recalled the Russian contribution and cooperation in the shape of
Pakistan Steel Mills.
He said the bilateral relations would further improve in future as Russian Government has shown interest in
signing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Strong bilateral trade and larger
cooperation between Pakistan and Russia would bring prosperity and integrity to the region, he said.
He apprised about the vital role of KCCI in the socio-economic development of Pakistan and to promote trade
and industry in Karachi and elsewhere.
Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz was of the view that visit of Russian President to Pakistan will open new
avenues of bilateral relations.
Paradigm shift was required from trade of commodities to machinery and equipment, Majyd Aziz said.
President, Pakistan Russian Business Forum, Abdul Rauf Tabani said Russia was the largest oil producer after
Saudi Arabia. It is a big market and centre of industrial raw materials.
********
Monday, 07th October 2013
Russian business delegation explores trade,
investment possibilities
By: Sheraz Nasir, Uploaded: 7th October 2013
KARACHI: A business delegation from Russian Federation including representatives of world’s top three
Russian companies engaged in gas, coal and railway sectors visited KCCI here on Monday to see trade and
investment opportunities. The delegation also searched for Pakistani partners.
The Russian firms included in the delegation are known for gas exploration, generating power from gas,
manufacture of gas turbines, coal development and railways.
The exchange of business information and interaction with private sector people here is aimed at enhancing
bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Pakistan including initiation of joint ventures in
diverse sectors.
The delegation is on visit to Karachi and Lahore for the next couple of days.
Headed by Consul General of Russian Federation in Karachi, Oleg N. Avdeev, the delegation includes
Associate Patron of Pakistan Russia Business Forum, Alexey A. Strekalov, Deputy Commercial Director of
M/s. Saturn Gas Turbines, Bllyk Igor, Deputy Head of Design and Development Department of M/s. RPM
Group, Lialkov Aleksandr.
Prominent Pakistanis interacting with the delegation include Founder President of Pakistan Russian Business
Forum Abdul Rauf Tabani, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Aamir Abdullah
Zaki, Senior Vice President Muffasar Atta Malik, Vice President Muhammad Idress, former president KCCI
Majyd Aziz.
Consul General of Russian Federation in Karachi Oleg N. Avdeev said the people of both countries do not
know much about each other. Thus, interaction must be enhanced by exchange of visits especially of the
businessmen. This would play a vital role in augmenting bilateral trade.
He noted that today’s visit of Russian delegation would be the first step to have more ventures between the two
countries.
He said besides railways Russia could cooperate and support Pakistan in power sector, gas exploration and
conversion of gas into power generation, coal fields development meant for power generation, supply of
machinery and equipment for power plants.
To a question regarding revival, modernisation and expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills by Russia, he very
cautiously said it was under discussion but specific decision was awaited till Joint Ministerial Working Group’s
meeting scheduled in November 2013 in Moscow.
To another query, he said there was no ban on the import of vegetable and fruits from Pakistan. However, he
said, there were certain standards to meet before reaching the Russian market.
Associated Patron of Pakistan Russia Business Forum, Alexey Strekalov said this visit of Russian delegation
would provide an opportunity of face to face meetings between the two potential business communities which
might lead to starting new ventures for the good of both the nations.
He said Russian businessmen wanted partners in Pakistan.
The delegation noted that Pakistan has a lot of potential for trade and investment.
Deputy Commercial Director of M/s. Saturn Gas Turbines, Bllyk Igor said that most Russian companies were
interested in development of coal based energy sector apart from solar energy besides development of gas fields
and converting gas into power.
Deputy Head of Design and Development Department of M/s. RPM Group dealing with Railways sector,
Lialkov Aleksandr said that his company was looking for the assembly of railway machinery in Pakistan as “we
see a promising market here.”
President KCCI, Aamir Abdullah Zaki underlined the need for Russian assistance in gas exploration,
development /strengthening of railways and power sector especially from coal, in heavy machinery, engineering
and automobiles and other potential areas. He recalled the Russian contribution and cooperation in the shape of
Pakistan Steel Mills.
He said the bilateral relations would further improve in future as Russian Government has shown interest in
signing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Strong bilateral trade and larger
cooperation between Pakistan and Russia would bring prosperity and integrity to the region, he said.
He apprised about the vital role of KCCI in the socio-economic development of Pakistan and to promote trade
and industry in Karachi and elsewhere.
Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz was of the view that visit of Russian President to Pakistan will open new
avenues of bilateral relations.
Paradigm shift was required from trade of commodities to machinery and equipment, Majyd Aziz said.
********
Tuesday, 08th October 2013
RUSSIAN KEEN TO INVEST IN ENERGY AND RAILWAY
SECTOR OF PAKISTAN ALONG WITH
REVAMPING OF PAKISTAN STEEL MILLS:
ZUBAIR MOTIWALA
SAMEER NAZIR
KARACHI: Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Chairman Sindh Board of Investment said that Pakistan largest
industrial complex ‘Pakistan Steel Mills’ is the exemplary initiative of cooperation between Pakistan & Russia.
This he said while meeting with Russian Business Delegation in his office on 8th October, 2013. The delegation
consists of three leading Russian Business Groups including GAZPROM INTERNATIONAL, SATURN GAS
TURBINE & RMP Group representing hydrocarbon exploration, Gas Turbine Manufacturing and Railway
Machinery assembling & construction respectively.
The delegation was led by Abdul Rauf Tabani President of Pakistan-Russian Business Forum. On the occasion,
Muhammad Zubair Motiwala repatriated historic deep rooted ties between the Pakistan and Russia and
welcomed the Russian counterparts to invest and extend business relation to advance level in future.
Chairman SBI also gave detailed presentation to the delegates encompassing the opportunities available in this
region of Indus valley. Focusing on Thar coal he said that Sindh is blessed with world class coal reservoirs with
international verification and offered full facilitation for swift materialization of their intent to invest in Sindh.
He further elaborated that Sindh has a lot of investment opportunities and to boost up investment opportunities
in the province, the government has established Private Public Partnership Unit to achieve the targets.
Russian delegates appreciated the investor friendly policies by Sindh Government and showed immense interest
in revamping of Pakistan Steel Mills and aimed to collaborate in oil gas along with railway sector of Pakistan to
enhance the quantum of trade between the two brother nations.
Director General SBI Muhamamd Riazuddin, Director Admin, SBI Abrar Shaikh and other officers were also
present on the occasion.
********
Tuesday, 08th October 2013
Pak-Russia Joint Commission
‘Key decisions on Pakistan Steel likely’
Our correspondent
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
From Print Edition
KARACHI: Some key decisions on Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) are expected in the bilateral joint
commission of the two countries to be held in November this year in Moscow, Oleg N Avdeev, consul
general of the Russian Federation, said on Monday.
“The Russian companies have placed specific suggestions to Pakistani authorities related to Pakistan Steel
Mills,” he added. The consul general said that Russia wanted modernisation and development of the steel mill
and his country had already offered cooperation.
Russia is offering cooperation to Pakistan in three major industries, including energy, railways and equipment
for power plants, he said.
The consul general was heading the Russian delegation that visited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (KCCI) to apprise the members about their manufacturing capabilities and technology enhancement.
Three big companies, Gazprom, RPM Group and Saturn Gas Turbine, were the part of the Russian delegation
during the meeting. Members of the delegation were optimistic about the cooperation in Railways and
expressed the hope for some positive outcome after meetings in Karachi and Lahore.
KCCI President Abdullah Zaki presented detailed overview of Pakistan’s energy needs and sought Russian
cooperation in various fields.
Majyd Aziz, former president of the KCCI, urged the local entrepreneurs to take advantage of expertise of
visiting Russian business community. Pakistan had realised to seek trade partnership with Russian and other
Asian economies for fast growth, he said.
Aziz urged the governments of the two countries to work on preferential and free trade agreements. He said that
when the United States can give civil nuclear technology to India then why Russia could not share such
technology with Pakistan.
********
Monday, 08 October, 2013
KCCI stresses Russian help in promoting economic relations
October 08, 2013, Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI - Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s President A. Abdullah Zaki has
asserted upon the dire need of Russian assistance to promote bilateral relationships to develop
gas
exploration,
railways
and
reconstruction
of
power
sector.
Speaking with the Russian delegation, headed by Consul General of Russian Federation Oleg
N. Avedeev, during visit to KCCI along with delegates from Railways, gas, power sector
development and other sectors.
Abdullah Zaki emphasised 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. He apprised about the vital role of KCCI in the socio-economic
development of Pakistan and to promote trade and industry in Karachi and elsewhere.
Exchanging views he said Pakistan could seek the Russian help to integrate and boost its energy
and power sector with technologies transfer.
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 need 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.
********