Vipusknik 4-2015 Quarterly Newsletter

Quarterly Newsletter

Newsletter– 4-2015

4th Russia Pakistan IGC Held In Islamabad 1st Russia Pakistan Investment Forum Islamabad Tajikistan President Sign CASA 1000 Treaty In

Islamabad

Belarus Prime Minster Visit Pakistan Prime Minster Visit UzbekistaT API Ground Breaking Ceremony Russia Invests: Pakistan’s Gas Pipeline

Association of Pakistani Graduates from Russia & CIS

4th Session: Russian-Pakistan Inter-Governmental

Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical

Cooperation. Islamabad 2015

4th Russia Pakistan Inter Governmental Commission

Report: Dr. Shahid Hasan

Direct flight

5 Working Groups

Enhancing coopera-

tion in Oil, Gas,

Energy, Trade,

Investment The 4th meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Inter Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held here from 18-20 November. The Plenary session marked the conclusion of the IGC meeting on Friday. Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar led the Pakistan side while the Russian side was headed by the Mr. Viktor P. Ivanov, Minister / Direc-tor Federal Drug Control Services, Rus-sian Federation who shared outcome of the 4th IGC with the media after conclusion of the Plenary. Underscoring the importance of hav-ing high level contacts between the two countries for further strengthen-ing of ties, the two sides reviewed the bilateral relations and discussed possi-bilities of enhancing cooperation in finance, trade and investment, science and technology, industry, energy, oil and gas exploration, food and agricul-ture, textile, drug and narcotics con-trol and other areas of mutual cooper-ation. The Russian Co-Chair proposed to have direct air link between Mos-cow and Pakistan. The Pakistan Co-Chair welcomed the proposal which aims to enhance business to business and people to people contacts be-tween the two partners. The Inter-Governmental Commission expressed satisfaction at the progress made in finalization of the long out-standing DRAFT Agreement on settle-ment of mutual financial claims and obligations, Memorandum of Under-

standing on Science and Technical cooperation and the Protocol (Joint Statement) on conclusion of the 4th Session of the IGC. The Working Group on Energy, comprising the Ministry of Water and Power and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources also signed a Protocol (Joint Statement), engaging the Russian counterparts in energy sector.

Minister Dar also appreciated the largest investment of Russia in Pakistan through Inter Government Agreement on North South Gas pipeline on 16 October 2015. Both sides agreed to developing a timeframe for the north-south gas pipeline and to setting up of a monitoring mechanism. Minister Dar stated that it was encouraging to note that over 60 delegates from the Rus-sian Federation including officials and the experts participated in the 4th IGC at Islama-bad. On the sidelines of the IGC, holding of first ever Pakistan Russia Investment Forum at Islamabad with wide representation of the private sector and the business community from Russia and Pakistan was appreciated. Mutual desire was expressed to enhance bilat-eral trade relations and investment, particularly in the field of energy and agriculture. The Russian side appreciated high quality of Pakistan’s agricultural products and ex-pressed an interest for an increasing their exports to Russia. The Commission also decid-ed to look into the possibility of establishing five working groups on (a) Finance and Bank-ing, (b) Industry (with sub group on Pakistan Steel Mills), (c) Food and Agriculture, (d) Transport and Logistics and (e) Education including professional training.

Underscoring the importance of having high level contacts between the two countries for further strengthening of ties, the two sides reviewed the bilateral

relations and discussed possibilities of enhancing cooperation in finance, trade and investment, science and technology, industry, energy, oil and gas exploration,

food and agriculture, textile, drug and nar-cotics control and other areas of mutual cooperation. The Russian Co-Chair pro-posed to have direct air link between Mos-cow and Pakistan. The Pakistan CoChair welcomed the pro-posal which aims to enhance business to

business and people to people contacts between the two partners. the Inter-Governmental Commission expressed satisfaction at the progress made in finali-zation of the long outstanding DRAFT Agreement on settlement of mutual fi-nancial claims and obligations, Memoran-dum of Understanding on Science and Technical cooperation and the Protocol (Joint Statement) on conclusion of the 4th Session of the IGC. The Working Group on Energy, comprising the Ministry of Water and Power and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources also signed a Protocol (Joint Statement), engaging the Russian counterparts in energy sector. Minister Dar also appreciated the largest invest-ment of Russia in Pakistan through Inter Government Agreement on North South Gas pipeline on 16 October 2015. Both sides agreed to developing a timeframe for the north-south gas pipeline and to setting up of a monitoring mechanism. Minister Dar stated that it was encourag-ing to note that over 60 delegates from the Russian Federation including officials and the experts participated in the 4th IGC at Islamabad. On the sidelines of the IGC, holding of first ever Pakistan Russia Investment Forum at Islamabad with wide representation of the private sector and the business community from Russia and Pakistan was appreciated. Mutual desire was expressed to enhance bilateral trade relations and investment, particularly in the field of energy and agriculture. The Russian side appreciated high quality of Pakistan’s agricultural products and ex-pressed an interest for an increasing their exports to Russia. The Commission also decided to look into the possibility of es-tablishing five working groups on (a) Fi-nance and Banking, (b) Industry (with sub group on Pakistan Steel Mills), (c) Food and Agriculture, (d) Transport and Logis-tics and (e) Education including profes-sional training. Both sides decided to hold the 5th session of the Inter-Governmental Commission in 2016 at Moscow, Russia on mutually convenient dates. Both sides decided to hold the 5th session of the InterGovernmental Commission in 2016 at Moscow, Russia on mutually conven-ient dates

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that the economic indicators of the country are fast growing and Pakistan is becoming an attractive destination for foreign investors, especially in the field of energy. The Prime Minister said this while meeting a Russian delegation led by H.E Mr. Victor P. Ivanov, Co-Chairman of the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade and Scientific Cooperation, at PM House this morning.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and Russia relations were entering into a new phase of strong relationship, which would usher in a new age of fruitful benefits for both the countries. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has taken a firm stance on terrorism and extremism to ensure a peaceful, stable and investor friendly environment. The terrorists’ hideouts and infrastructure has been dismantled through effective offen-sive, added the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said that the Pakistani nation owns the war on terrorism, led by the present government.

H.E Mr Victor P. Ivanov said that Pakistan is a strong country with rich history and there exists a huge potential for mutual trade between Russia and Pakistan. He said that there is a need for establishing direct flight between Moscow and Islamabad to especially ben-efit the traders and investors of both the countries.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif extended his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, for inauguration of North South Gas Pipeline, which is the largest invest-ment by Russia in Pakistan. The Prime Minister further said that Pakistan attaches high value to its partnership with Russia in all areas including Bilateral Trade, Economic, Sci-entific and Technical Cooperation. Pakistan supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution for peace in Afghanistan, which is good for the entire region and the world.

Mr Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Mr Mifta Ismail, SAPM/Chairman BOI and other senior officials of the Government attended the meeting. Members of the Russian delegation included H.E. Colonel General Mikhail Y. Kyiko, Deputy Director, Dep-uty Federal Minister of the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation, H.E Major General Vladimir Z. Vysotskiy, Chief of the International and Legal Department of the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr Alexey Y. Dedov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Mr Maxim A. Marchenko, Official Repre-sentative of the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation in Pakistan.

PAKISTAN AND RUSSIA ARE ENTERING INTO A NEW

PHASE OF STRONG RELATIONSHIP. NAWAZ SHARIF

A new era of Russia Pakistan relations

was initiated by Ms. Benazir Bhutto,

than Prime Minister of Pakistan in

1990, by sending a message to

Moscow for setting up the economic

coordination between two countries.

In 1991, again she sent the high-level

economic delegation to Russia and

Central Asia after the collapse of Sovi-

et Union. Russia offered Pakistan to

install a commercial nuclear power

plant and to launch Pakistan's second

satellite, Badr-B, from its Baikonur

Cosmodrome for the lowest possible

charges, however after the U.S. inter-

vention the plans were not imple-

mented. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

attempted to warm the relations up with

Russia In 1997. He paid a state visit to

Russia in April 1999, this was the first visit

to Moscow, paid by a Pakistan's Prime

minister in 25 years. During this visit, it

was decided to establish Russian – Paki-

stani Intergovernmental Commission on

Trade and Economic, Scientific and Tech-

nical Cooperation. But this commission

couldn’t be functionalised during the en-

tire period of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Russia condemned the military coup d'é-

tat against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in

1999 to remove him from power.

However, Russian Deputy Minister of

Foreign Affairs Alexander Losyukov paid a

state visit to Pakistan on 19 April 2001.

During this visit, both countries agreed

upon cooperating in economic develop-

ment, and to work towards peace and

prosperity in the region.

Russia- Pakistan Relations:

Partnership for Trade and Investment

By Ashique Hamdani

minister stated it is unacceptable to vio-late the sovereignty of a state, even when planning and carrying out counter-insurgent operations.

Pakistan and Russia wrapped up their first strategic dialogue on 31-August-2013. At the talks held at the foreign secretaries’ level in Moscow, the Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and Russia’s First Deputy Minister of For-eign Affairs Vladimir Gennadievich Titov led his side. Russian Deputy Foreign Min-ister Igor Morgulov also participated in the consultations. The dialogue, the For-eign Office says, lays an institutional

framework for building closer relations between the two countries through dis-cussions for cooperation in political, eco-nomic, defence and other sectors. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments. Broadly, Pakistan and Russia agreed for more high-level contacts, closely coordinating posi-tions on regional and international issues, and expanding trade and investment rela-tions and cooperation in the field of ener-gy and power generation.

A breakthrough in relations between Rus-

sia and Pakistan was made possible by

the annual quadrilateral summits be-

tween Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and

Tajikistan, which included bilateral

meetings between the presidents of Rus-

sia and Pakistan. Initially (in Tajikistan,

2009), an expansion of Russia-Pakistan

cooperation was reflected in the estab-

lishment of more trusting relationships at

a higher level, the signing of several

memorandums of mutual understanding

and a number of other specific agree-

ments. Even at that time, substantial dis-

cussions were under way at a meeting in

Dushanbe between the presidents of Rus-

sia and Pakistan regarding the possibility

of really combating drug trafficking

(including the direct and active participa-

tion of Afghanistan in this process), ter-

rorism and extremism, the involvement

of Gazprom in Pakistani energy projects,

the possibility of developing regional

trade, the creation of a favourable invest-

ment

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation were reactivated after the 3-days official visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov in 2007. He was the first Russian prime minister to visit Pakistan in the post-Soviet-era in 38 years. He had "in-depth discussions" with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The major focus of the visit was to im-prove bilateral relations with particular emphasis on ways and means to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. Under the Presidency of Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani, relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved significantly.

Significant changes accrued in 2011 as Russia revisited its policy and President V. Putin publicly endorsed Pakistan bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organiza-tion and said that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia. Putin offered Russia's assistance in expansion of Paki-stan Steel Mills and provision of technical support for the Guddu and Muzaffargarh power plants and Russia was interested in developing the Thar Coal Project. Russia strongly condemned the NATO strike in Pakistan in 2011, and the Russian foreign

climate and a number of other issues. Both Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his successor Ms. Hina Raban Khar, as foreign minister of Pakistan made their best efforts for activation of inter-Governmental Commission between Rus-sia and Pakistan. The expansion of bilateral relations contin-ued at a similar summit in Sochi in August 2010. At that time during bilateral meetings between the presidents of Russia and Pakistan, opportunities to collaborate in the financial sector were explored (the opening of branches of Russian banks in Pakistan and Pakistani banks in Russia), the admis-sion of Pakistani students to study in Russia and many oth-ers. Most importantly, however, was the decision to hold the first meeting of the Russia-Pakistan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation in September 2010, which took place as planned. On the Russian side, the commission was headed by the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy, Mr. V.L. Mutko, while the Pakistani side at that time was headed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar. It would be impossible not to mention relations between the military leaders of the two countries, in particular about the visit made to Moscow at the beginning of October 2012 by virtually the most important military official in Pakistan, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. The arrival of Air Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt, chief of the Pakistan Air Force, in Moscow in August 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Russian Air Force also indicates that there are real prospects for military-technical coopera-tion between Russia and Pakistan.

It should also be noted that during the visit made by the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister S.V. Lavrov to Pakistan at the beginning of October 2012, three Memorandums of Mutual Understanding were signed - in the areas of metal-lurgy, energy production and railroad transportation.

Intergovernmental Commission on trade, economic, scien-tific and technical cooperation between Russia and Pakistan (IGC) has emerged as leverage platform. The second IGC meeting took place in Islamabad on September 10, 2012,. N. M. A. Khan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, co-chaired the meeting from the Pakistani side. Among the topics discussed at the meeting, there were issues related to trade, economic and cultural development. Also, priority areas of business and investment cooperation were identi-fied, among which there were fuel and energy complex, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering. In conjunction with the IGC meeting, V. L. Mutko met with the Minister for For-eign Affairs of Pakistan, Ms. Khar. Mr. Mutko also met with the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Zardari.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the Russian Business Coun-cil for Cooperation with Pakistan (RBCCP) Late G. N. Seleznev presented a report on RBCCP activity. The report covered current issues related to mutual trade and econom-ic relations. S. Mikaelyan, Director of the St. Petersburg branch of RBCCP, took part in the IGC meeting as an expert.

The third session of the Russia-Pakistan Government Committee for Trade and Scientific Cooperation took place in Moscow under the chairmanship of Vitaly Mutko, Russian Minister for Sports, and Mo-hammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Finance of Pakistan, on No-vember 28, 2014. Mr. Mutko is the co-chairman of the Committee from Russian side and Mr. Dar is the co-chairman of the Committee from Pakistani side.

In the course of the session a broad range of issues related to bilat-eral cooperation was discussed.

It was observed that Russia-Pakistan partnership developed under uneasy circumstances. In 2013 bilateral trade increased by purely symbolic 1% to $ 547,1 million. But in 2014 Russia-Pakistani trade reduced considerably to the total of $ 379,7 million after the 3d quar-ter having plunged by 16% compared to the respective period last year. Russian export to Pakistan totaled $ 118,1 million, down 25%, Russian import from Pakistan was not above $ 261,6 million, down 11%.

Both parties agreed that to rectify the situation serious steps must be taken. Among priorities are several joint energy and infrastructure projects, cooperation in the realms of metallurgy, broadcasting me-dia, supplies of Russian civil aircraft and helicopters, import of Paki-stani agricultural products into Russia. in conclusion of the session Mr. Mutko underlined that Russia-Pakistan cooperation had a huge potential and good prospects. It was also noted that the Russian Fed-eration favored Pakistan’s joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a full-member. Both parties signed the Final protocol of the Third session of the Russia-Pakistan Government Committee for Trade and Scientific Cooperation.

One of the leading Russian experts on Southern and Central Asia, Pro-fessor Vyacheslav Belokrenitsky, who as much as five years ago wrote that "strengthening Russia-Pakistan relations would enable Moscow to equalise their chances with China's in a multilateral dialogue on the expanses of Central and Eastern Asia. Secondly, it would enable Rus-sia to make it clear to India that the time has passed, first and fore-most, for its interests in terms of Russia's priorities regarding South Asia to be taken into account. If New Delhi is going to strengthen its strategic partnership with the United States by entering into an exclu-sive long-lasting peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement with them and opening up the way for cooperation with the West in the military-technical sphere, can it rely on the fact that Russia will still refrain from military cooperation with Pakistan that would be to Russia's advantage? The point here, of course, is not that the vector of Mos-cow's military-technical cooperation itself will change, but that the implementation of certain corrections is possible and even neces-sary".

Pakistan and Tajikistan signed number of agreements aimed at broadening bilateral cooperation. Pakistan desires an early implementation of CASA-1000 power project — a project of regional energy cooperation among Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon Thursday. The project will enable Paki-stan to import 1,000MW of electricity to meet its growing energy needs Pakistan and Tajikistan signed a num-ber of agreements aimed at broaden-ing bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, energy and connectivity. Addressing a joint press conference alongside the Tajik president, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Tajikistan and Pakistan share brotherly relations and the latter serves as a gateway to Central Asian states. He expressed satisfaction that bilateral trade between the two countries has risen from $15 million in 2011 to $89 million in 2014.President Rahmon said the visit of Tajiki-stan delegation to Pakistan is a sign of thriving bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two sides earlier held delegation level talks in Is-lamabad today to explore ways to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields, Radio Pakistan re-ported. The two delegations dis-cussed ways to enhance

cooperation in energy, security, trade, cultural and communication fields. They exchanged views to increase contacts on people-to-people basis between the two countries and exchange of delegations. They also discussed matters relating to counter-terrorism and controlling human and drug smuggling.

Tajik President Visit Pakistan; CASA-1000 Signed

The Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are two countries in Central Asia en-dowed with some of the world’s most abundant clean hydropower re-sources with water cascading from the mountain ranges and filling the rivers every summer. Both of these countries have a surplus of electricity during the summer. Nearby in South Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan suffer from chronic electricity shortages while trying to keep pace with a fast-growing demand for it. Pakistan cannot meet its citizens’ electricity needs, especially during the sweltering summer months, leading to fre-quent power cuts that hurt industrial production, sometimes close small businesses, and lead to job losses. Meanwhile millions of people still live without electricity altogether. A new electricity transmission system to connect all four countries, called CASA-1000, would help make the most efficient use of clean hy-dropower resources in the Central Asian countries by enabling them to transfer and sell their electricity surplus during the summer months to the deficient countries in South Asia. The CASA-1000 project would also comple-

ment the countries’ efforts to improve electricity access, integrate and ex-pand markets to increase trade, and find sustainable solutions to water resources management.

Electricity for development, economic growth,

job creation, and modern life.

The ground breaking ceremony of Turk-menistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) project, a 1,735 kilometer long gas pipeline project, will take place in Turk-menistan on 13th of December, 2015. Turkmenistan Ambassador to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov said while addressing a function on Wednesday. The trans-national gas pipeline project among Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Paki-stan and India (TAPI) is vital for economic growth of regional countries, the Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada said while addressing 24th Independence Day celebration of Turkmenistan in Islamabad. He said TAPI project is vital for Pakistan's energy needs and would strengthen fur-ther existing relations between Pakistan

and Turkmenistan. He said the project would be beneficial for

economies of the both countries

TAPI Project: Ground Breaking Ceremony Announced

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov took part in the third Summit of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), held Nov. 23 in Tehran, stressing that Kazakhstan is willing to supply up to 3 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually through a proposed pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India. Hosted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the summit was attended by representatives of GECF member nations Alge-ria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela, as well as individuals from observer nations Azer-baijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman and Peru. The participants discussed the prospects of gas industry development and the benefits of using it as an alternative energy source. Issues were also raised concerning ecology, dynamics and balance in the gas energy market, gas industry expansion, pricing, coordination among forum member states, investments and opti-mising gas consumption. Kazakhstan is currently in 18th place globally and third among the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries in terms of proven recoverable gas reserves, with more than 6 -7 trillion cu-bic metres. In this context, he stressed Kazakhstan is interested in the main TAPI gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India whenever it is built. “Discussions are currently taking place with the Indian side about the possibility of increasing the capacity of the pipeline, taking into account the potential gas supplies from Kazakhstan. Our

country is ready to transport up to 3 billion cubic metres annually through this pipeline,” he said. The minister also spoke about Nurly Zhol, an ambitious government programme to develop the country’s infrastructure, which, among other areas, will focus on gas exploration.“We will continue to play an active role in estab-lishing and transporting the main gas stream between Europe and Asia, North and South, while remaining a reliable partner for everyone involved in the gas industry,” he said. The GECF consists of 18 main and observer members with its permanent secretariat positioned in Doha, Qatar. Previous sum-mits were held in Doha in 2011 and Moscow in 2013 with the purpose of developing mutual understanding and dialogue be-tween leading gas producers, consumers and governments on global gas policy issues, according to the forum’s website. GECF members account for 42 percent of global gas output, 70 percent of global gas reserves, 40 percent of pipe gas transmis-sion and 65 percent of global trade of liquefied natural gas, ac-cording to the forum website.

Kazakhstan Want to Join TAPI Pipeline: Erlan Idrissov

The Gift Distribution on behalf of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan and President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO was arranged at Edhi Homes, La-hore. The function was attended by the Minister for Excise & Taxation of Punjab Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, the Am-bassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dashgin Shikarov, politicians, media repre-sentatives and the embassy officials. Ad-dressing the audience Ambassador Dashgin Shikarov conveyed the affection and soli-darity of the First Lady and people of Azer-baijan with beneficiaries Edhi Homes. Talk-ing about the activity of Heydar Aliyev Foundation (HAF) the Azer-baijani ambassador said that the foundation is contributing to the social and economic development of the country by implementing various projects in education, public health, culture besides imple-mentation of number of large scale projects in Azerbaijan and oth-er countries of the World including Pakistan. He highlighted the shared religious and cultural values of Azerbaijani and Pakistani peoples and stressed to further strengthening of ties between the two brotherly countries. In his welcome remarks Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman expressed gratitude to the First Lady of Azerbai-jan for gesture of love to children of Edhi Homes. He apprised the

audience that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been extending its cooperation in various projects of Edhi Homes. Mr. Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman also mentioned that recently the President of Pakistan Mr. Mamnoon Hussain awarded Hilal-e–Pakistan to Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva for her services to Pakistan. At the end of the function the Chief Guest and the Ambassador distributed gifts amongst the children of Edhi Homes. The function was concluded by concert programs where the children of Edhi Homes demon-strated their dancing and musical skills to the distinguished guests.

Association of Pakistan Graduates from Russia and CIS is organizing Russian Film Show in Lahore at Bahaud-

din Zakariya University in collaboration with Embassy of Russian Federation. His Excellency Alexei Dedov, Am-

bassador of Russian Federation will inaugurate the Russian Film Show. A large number social; activists, civil soci-

ety and artist from film industry will participate in show.

The First Lady Of Azerbaijan:

Gift Distribution At Edhi Homes, Lahore

Pakistan and Belarus agreed on a road map for economic cooperation to increase their bilateral trade up to US one billion dollars, with a focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture and infrastructure devel-opment. The document to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sha-rif and Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov in Islamabad.The two sides also signed seventeen other agreements, MOUs and protocols on cooperation in diverse fields. These relate to collaboration and cooperation in trade, economy, industry, agriculture, agricultural re-search, investment, science and technology, textile, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. A contingent of tri-services guard presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary, who also reviewed the parade. The national an-

thems of both the countries were played. Prime Minister Sharif introduced Prime Minister Kobyakov and his delegation with the members of his cabinet. Later, the two Prime Ministers proceeded for one-on-one talks. After the meeting, PM Na-waz said he had a very productive round of talks with the Belarusian PM and the two dignitaries reviewed progress and agreed on con-crete steps to further enhance their bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said during the talks the two sides also discussed regional and global issues, besides taking deci-sions to further fortify their ties that encompass many new areas. He said it was the third high level exchange between the two countries in the past six months and was reflective of the importance the two sides give to their robust relationship. The premier apprised Mr An-drey Kobyakov about the upcoming visit of Pakistan's Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee to Belarus. PM Nawaz recalled his visit to Minsk in August this year terming it as productive, and said the high-level visits between the two countries had extensively contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations.

He expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the first Pa-kistan-Belarus meeting of the Joint Economic Commission on August 7th and added that the second meeting of the Pakistan-Business Joint Business and Investment Forum and the inaugural session of Pakistan-Belarus Business Council were most encouraging

Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov Visited Pakistan

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Dashgin Shika-rov has invited the Pakistani businessmen to participate in the exhibition and forum being planned for April 2016 in Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He was talking to the LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Indus-try. LCCI Executive Committee Members were also present on the occasion. The Ambassador said that proposed exhi-bition and forum will provide Pakistani entrepreneurs an opportunity to establish close contacts with their counterparts in Azerbaijan. He said that Azerbaijan is keen to strengthen trade & economic ties with Pakistan. He said that joint efforts from the business community of both sides can help tap huge potential exist in both

countries. He said that bilateral trade between the two countries could be flourished through exchange of trade delegations and holding of single country exhibitions. Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that both Pakistan and Azerbaijan have good diplomatic relations and enjoy strong bonds of Is-lamic brotherhood but these ties are hardly reflected in two way trade. He said that in 2013, the value of total exports of Pakistan to Azerbaijan was dollar 49.7 million which shrunk to dollar 27.7 million in 2014. The LCCI President said that it was very unfortunate Pakistan does not figure promi-nently among the trading partners of Azerbaijan. He said that the main reason of such a low level of trade is lack of proper information about each other’s markets. He pro-posed that the commercial sections of our respective embassies should share market survey reports with their national chambers. Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that in order to increase private to private contacts and bilateral trade, we need to provide every possible assistance. Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that the ground realities favour trading of such prod-ucts which are light in weight and costly in terms of value. Since the businessmen choose to get their shipments airlifted because of difficult and risky land routes, so, we need to identify more such items like sports goods, technical/medical apparatus, tobac-co and precious stones etc.

Ambassador Shikarov Invites Businessmen to Participate in

Pakistan-Azerbaijan Forum April 2016

A large numbers of physicians in Lahore graduated from CIS /

USSR, held a special meeting to establish working relationship

with Association of Pakistani Graduates from Russia & CIS.

Meeting was presided by Dr. Ajmal. APGR-CIS was represented

by Dr. Shahid Hasan and Mr. Imtiaz Ul Haq. Medicine in Russia

has been attracting international students since Soviet days.

Thanks to Russian, international students from developing coun-

tries were studying in Russia without paying any tuition fees. Rus-

sian medical universities have been and remain one of those

leading institutions in Medical studies. The books and textbooks

issued in Russian medical schools have been translated into doz-

ens of languages. Russian degrees have gained global recogni-

tion, and topped UNESCO and WHO ratings. Participants of the

meeting praised Russian institutions and medical colleges for

their contribution, commitments and dedication for developing

countries.

CIS Medical Alumnae meeting held in Lahore

Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement for laying a $2.5 billion pipeline to carry imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Karachi to Lahore.

Sidestepping the normal bidding require-ments, the agreement was signed as a gov-ernment-to-government deal. Moscow would provide a loan of $2bn in return for the award of the contract to state-run Rus-sian firm RT Global, an arm of Russia State Corporation.

The Russian company will be responsible for laying the 1,100km pipeline, which will be called North-South Pipeline. It will be capa-ble of carrying 12.4bcm (billion cubic me-ters) per annum to connect LNG terminals in Karachi with consumption centres near Lahore.

The agreement was signed by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the signing ceremony.

The two sides had agreed during a recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Sharif in Ufa to award the contract to the Russian firm without bidding against which the Russian govern-ment would extend financing.

The project indicates the likelihood of Rus-sia providing LNG to Pakistan at a later stage and also Pakistan’s desire to diversify its economic and trade relations.

Russia is the world’s second largest natural gas producer and is looking for new markets after its recent conflict with Ukraine which caused deterioration of its relations with Europe, its major hydrocarbon export mar-ket.

Under the commercial agreement, Pakistan will provide 15 per cent equity and the Rus-sian company 85pc. Russia will invest $2bn and the project is expected to be completed by Dec 2017. The project will be carried out on the build, own, operate and transfer basis. It would be run by the Russian firm for 25 years to recover investment with profit, before handing it over to a Pakistani entity, informed sources said. The Pakistan government will provide a sovereign guar-antee for the loan.

An official statement quoted the prime min-ister as saying at the signing ceremony that Pakistan wanted to develop a multi-dimensional relationship with Russia in vari-ous fields — trade, defence, energy, infra-structure and culture.

Pakistan had signed a similar government-to-government agreement with China for laying a $2.5 billion pipeline from Gwadar Port to Nawabshah in Sindh. Economic and trade relations between Islamabad and Moscow have remained severely affected for about five decades because of cold war tensions, even though Pakistan’s two major ventures — the Pakistan Steel Mills and largest hydrocarbon producer Oil and Gas

Development Company — came into being with financial and technical support of the erstwhile Soviet Union in the 1960s.

The two sides have been cosying up over a couple of years and have signed a few memoranda of understanding in recent weeks enabling Russian energy firms to enter Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration and production sectors through government-to-government contracts.

A Russian delegation, led by Energy Minister Alexander Novak, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday night for signing the agreement. It held a meeting with Petroleum Minister Khaqan Abbasi and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz.

The Russian firm is expected to begin work on the project in about four months and complete it by the end of December 2017. The Second phase of the project involving the setting up of compression stations is expected to be completed by May-June 2019.“Pakistan is expecting President Putin to pay a landmark visit to Islamabad for performing the ground-breaking of North-South Pipeline early next year,” the official statement said.

The 1st Pakistan-Russia Investment Forum was jointly organized by the Board of Investment (BOI) Pakistan and Russian Business Council for Cooperation with Pakistan, in Islamabad at Marriott Hotel on November 19, 2015, on the sidelines of 4th session of Pakistan-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The Forum was co-chaired by Finance Minister of Pakistan and Federal Minister Drug control services, Russian Federation, who is the co-chairman of Pakistan Russia inter-governmental commis-sion. The Forum was attended by around 80 businessmen from Russia and around 130 local businessmen. In opening remarks Dr. Miftah

Ismail, MOS / chairman, BOI highlighted that the existing trade and investment figures be-tween the two countries are not reflecting the real potential exist. He highlighted the potential exist in Paksitan in terms of natural and human resources. He invited the Russian as well as Pakistani investors to invest in Pakistan as pro-spects of co-production;

PAK- RUSSIA FIRST INVESTMENT FORUM

would be stepping stones for setting up direct contacts between the business and in-vestors community. The Minister also offered the supply of LNG gas to Pakistan. He particularly mentioned the agreement signed last month for establishing north south gas pipeline and asked the business representatives of both the countries to work on other possible areas of cooperation such as banking i.e through opening of bank’s branches in each other’s country, furthering cooperation in sectors like Electro energy, infrastructure, oil & gas, transport, agriculture, agriculture, telecommunication and other areas of mutual cooperation. He mentioned that Tomorrows meeting of IGC will testify these agreements at governmental level. The Minister also appreciated the eco-nomic policies of government of Pakistan and expressed the hope that the rising trend of Pakistan economy opens new avenues for business communities to enhance trade and investment which is ultimate objective of this forum. (Continued to page 18 )

joint ventures with local partners are promising in the country. The Russian Minister highlighted that this first investment forum has provided an excellent opportunity to businessmen and in-vestors from both sides to interact and explore possibilities of joint cooperation trade & invest-ment. He showed his confidence that this forum will further cement our bilateral trade & invest-ment relations as a number of CEOs and compa-nies representatives of both the countries are gathered here to discuss avenues of coopera-tion in various sectors. He pointed out that the existing volume of trade and investment is not commensurate with the available potential in both the countries. The Russian Minister emphasized that establish-ment of air links between the two countries

Page 17

Mr. Habib Ahmad, Honorary consul of Russia federation in Lahore Pakistan, hosted a dinner in the honor of delegates of 4th session of Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on trade, eco-nomic, scientific and technical cooperation. In his welcome ad-dress Mr. Habib Ahmad has expressed his hopes that Russia would play a vital role in assisting Pakistan in overcoming crisis of

terrorism, energy shortage and eco-nomical stress.

he said that relations between Pakistan and Russia were marked by mutual understandings on important political and economic issues.

Speaking on the oc-

casion, head of the

Russian delegation,

H.E Mr. Victor P. Ivanov, the Minister of the Federal Drug Control

Services of the Russian Federation and CO-Chairman of the Rus-

sian – Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on trade, eco-

nomic, scientific and technical cooperation will grace the forum

said that Russia had focused on the priority of high diplomatic

relations with Pakistan. He also stressed on

exploiting the intense and vast economic

potential that existed between the two

countries. Thanking all guests and hosts for a

wonderful reception hosted in his honor, Mr.

Victor P. Ivanov, assured of his best efforts

to enhance socio-political relations between

the two countries.

Mr. Habib Ahmad Hosted Dinner in the Honor of Russian Delegation

While addressing the forum Finance Minister of Paki-stan appreciated both sides for organizing first ever Investment Forum and expressed his confident t that this initiative will go a long way to promote business and economic relations between the two countries. The Finance Minister also appreciated the efforts put by chairman BOI, advisory to Prime Minister on for-eign affairs Mr.Tariq Fatmi and Russian team for re-solving 17 years old issues relating to outstanding claims of Pakistanis and Russian businesses. The Min-ister endorsed the views of Russian Minister that the figures of bilateral trade and investment are far below the actual existing potential. The Finance Minister appreciated and thanks the Russian side for establishing north south gas pipeline and invited Russian side to upgrade Pakistan Steel Mill to make it a profitable entity. The min-ister shared the economic achievements of the present govern-ment particularly in the areas of energy supplies and promising future economic outlook of Pakistan with special reference to facil-itation to be provided by China Pakistan Economic Corridor to ob-tain 7% GDP growth. The Minister invited specific proposals with regard to facilitation required from the GOP in the areas of regula-tory framework, administrative climate and any other area of co-operation. Representatives of relevant Ministries/Departments from both sides have given detailed presentations in their respective sectors

and highlighted huge investment opportunities in these sectors and lucrative incentives available for investors to invest in the main sectors tinted by the presenters from both sides are as under: Pakistan side highlighted investment opportunities in the following sectors: 1. Energy 2. Petroleum and natural resources 3. Food and agriculture 4. Industries and production 5. Textile 6. Communication 7. Information technology Russian side identified following sectors for mutual cooperation: 1. Transport 2. Oil & Gas 3. Trade industrial potential of republic of Tatarastan 4. Industry & machinery 5. Cooperation in drugs, railways, irrigation of Baluchistan 6. Science & education 7. Capacity building of Pakistani workforce The presenters highlighted the diversified opportunities that exist in both the countries and how the businessmen and investors from

each country can get the maximum returns on their investments. They suggested that the government had a significant role to play

in bringing in investments from abroad with policies such as; tax incentives, and other administrative areas to facilitate investors. In brief the focus of presentations was on the following main ques-tions: 1. Emerging scenarios of potential in each country 2. Plans of respective governments to enhance capacity of various sectors and allied infrastructure 3. Facilitations measures and investment initiatives by both countries 4. Available comparative advantages in both the countries and prospects for future investments in various sectors At the end, the vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Iftikhar Babar, Secretary, BOI which concluded the first Pakistan-Russia Invest-ment Forum.

B2B meetings were also held during - 4TH SESSION OF INTER-GOV COMMISSION ON TRADE, ECONOMY. More than 80 busi-nessmen/investors participated and held detailed discussions with their counterparts for mutual benefit and enhancement of Investment & trade.

Pakistan has offered Russia to privatize the Steel Mills, Russia has agreed to provide different types of aircraft and cooperate Pakistan in energy sectors. Pak-Russian intergovernmental commission was held in Islamabad, after the session, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Russian delegation’s chief addressed from a joint press conference.

However, Ishaq Dar said that progress has been made in resolving the trade dispute between Pakistan and Russia for 20 years, where-as, Russia has agreed to complete North gas line project on time.

inance Minister said that Sindh government has not given any re-sponse over privatization of Steels Mills so far. The chief of Russian delegation said that new areas have been identified for cooperation with Pakistan. Russia Pakistan B2B Meetings

PAKISTAN, RUSSIA AGREED ON FREE

TRADE AGREEMENT

The first forum of small business regions of the participating countries of the SCO and BRICS is held in Ufa, reports "Interfax" with the opening ceremony.

The event started on the territory of the Congress Hall with the opening of the inter-regional exchange of business contacts of entrepreneurs, exhibition of IT-technologies, industry, mining and processing of raw materials, the environment and tourism.

The forum was attended by more than 1.5 thousand. Representa-

tives of government and business leaders from Brazil, China, In-dia, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, 51 regions of Russia and Belarus, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Great Britain, Canada, Turkey , Uganda, Italy, Serbia, Austria, Malta, Mongolia and Ukraine.

It is planned that the plenary session, participants will discuss issues of cooperation between regions of the participating coun-tries of the SCO and BRICS in the field of creating a favorable business environment, support mechanisms for the formation of the inter-regional projects.

The program also envisages holding a panel discussion on the legal, financial and infrastructural support of small business, stra-tegic partnership between large and small businesses, special economic zones and IT-technologies; presentation of investment projects by regional member countries of the SCO and BRICS.

Pakistani delegation was headed by Governed Baluchistan included the representative of SMEDA, Association of Pakistani Graduate s from Russia & CIS and business community .

The SCO BRICS First Forum of Small Business held in Ufa:

Governor Baluchistan, SMEDA and APGR-CIS participated

Annual Forum was conceived as a platform of interaction of regional governors, the federal government, big business, expert bodies and entrepreneurs of the SCO and BRIC for building inter-regional busi-ness cooperation. Organizers of the forum were intended to find common ground regional companies from Russia and the SCO and BRICS understand what prevents the interaction and how to elimi-nate or simplify the administrative, logistical, and financial and other barriers.

The first forum of small business regions of the participating coun-tries of the SCO and BRICS The plenary session Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov said he did not expect such a large number of participants and is pleased that the event is so strongly supported by both Rus-sian and foreign regions. The forum was attended by over 1,500 peo-ple from 46 Russian regions and 19 countries. Ufa was visited by delegations from Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyr-gyzstan, China, Latvia, Malta, Mongolia, Pakistan, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine and South Africa. The speakers at the forum were the heads of the regions of Russia and member countries of the SCO and BRICS, as well as heads of relevant ministries and expert agencies. At the plenary meeting, the State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Oleg Fomichev, General Director of JSC "Federal Corporation for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises" Alexander Braverman, Director General of the Agency's strategic initiatives to promote new projects Andrei Nikitin, Head of the Re-public of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov , Chelyabinsk Region Gov-ernor Boris Dubrovsky, the governor of the province of Baluchistan (Pakistan) Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Prime Limpopo province (South Africa) Chupa Matabata Stanley and others.

The first forum of small business regions of the participating coun-tries of the SCO and BRICS During two days of intensive work was held ten meetings. Partici-pants discussed issues of cooperation between regions of the partici-pating countries of the SCO and BRICS in the creation of a favorable environment for business, talked about best practices in the areas of legislative, financial and infrastructural support to entrepreneurs, strategic partnership of small and large businesses. Separate sections were dedicated to the development of businesses with the tools of franchising development of interregional cooperation in the IT sphere, the theme of clusters, technology parks and special econom-ic zones as the infrastructure for the development of small and me-dium-sized businesses. In a formal setting was signed four cooperation agreements, includ-ing - with foreign partners. In addition to the breakout and other meetings at the Forum was held more than 90 meetings in the for-

mat of B2B negotiations. The forum also served as the exhibition business regions.

The first forum of small business regions of the participating coun-tries of the SCO and BRICS In the days of the forum on the site has 75 federal and regional jour-nalists, including 6 members of the press tour, arrived in Ufa from Moscow. Information partners of the Forum were 19 media, includ-ing the news agency «Regnum», «Rossiyskaya Gazeta", "Business Journal", RIA "FederalPress" and others. After three days of the forum in the federal and regional mass media published 736 materials, including about 30 stories on TV Mir24, Russia 1 Bashkortostan, Russia 24 Bashkortostan, BLS, All Ufa, UTV. On the opening of the Forum reported leading news agencies, news-papers, business portals, TV channels: Interfax, RIA Novosti news agency, Tass, PRIME, RBC, RIA FederalPress, Kommersant, kommer-sant.ru, Vedomosti.ru, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, rg.ru, Kp.ru, MK.ru, Busi-ness Journal b-mag.ru, to Gazeta.ru, Public Television of Russia, Vesti FM, Vesti.ru and many others. Since the beginning of 2015 came in 1276 with reference to materi-als online. The first forum of small business regions of the participating coun-tries of the SCO and BRICS became the absolute leader in the num-ber of publications in comparison with forums and conferences on the same theme, held in Russia in 2015, beating the nearest "competitor" is more than 2.5 times.

1500 participants, 80 speakers

10 meetings, 4 of the Agreement

19 INFOPARTNERS, 75 journalists, publications

Dear Mr. Governor! Dear colleagues! With great pleasure we take you in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Our country is one of the largest regions of the Russian Federation. We have 85 regions, and we are in seventh place in the Russian Federation in terms of population. In our country 54 municipalities and 9 municipal districts. Lives have 4.1 million people. Our core competencies - oil production, oil refining and petro-chemicals. We - the number one in the Russian Federation for the production of fuel for cars. In addition, we have developed engi-neering, agriculture, and mining. We have a strong education sys-tem: we have seven federal universities, about a hundred colleges and almost 2,000 schools. Of course, we are considering the possibility of cooperation with the provinces of Pakistan. During the summit of the SCO and BRICS meeting were presidents, heads of states of our country. They agreed to cooperate on a regional level. We, of course, must fol-low these requirements. Is this your first time in our country, Mr. Governor. And we, unfor-tunately, were not in your province. Therefore, we must now es-tablish a business relationship, so that our business has developed rapidly. You have just seen our possibilities. I am confident that, as in your country, we will certainly see your options. Today - the first step for the establishment of such relations, as well as in Ufa, Pakistan was the first step in entering the family of the SCO countries. For us it is a historical event. Once again, thank you for your visit. We will do everything to en-sure that the business of our country, the Republic actively coop-erated with entrepreneurs in your country.

Dear Mr Rustem Khamitov We express our gratitude for being invited to visit your republic. I note that we are second day in Ufa and we are very impressed with what I saw here. We are impressed by the beautiful city and the people living in the region. Impressive architectural appearance of the city. Yesterday, we take great pleasure visited the Museum of Archeol-ogy and Ethnography of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Our region is located in Central Asia, and we still have never been so far away from this country, especially in the north of Russia. We see Russia as one of the most powerful countries in the world. We know and appreciate its contribution to the peace process. However, we know that in 1980-1990, in Russia was the economic downturn. Similar processes occur in other countries. For example, in the UK there was a crisis, coupled with the decline in the coal industry. Another example - Japan in the 1970s, began to experi-ence a powerful economic downturn. In this situation, the creation of such organizations as the SCO and BRICS, we perceive as timely a phenomenon of great positive significance. We see that the economic developments in Brazil and in the UK are about the same way. We see the role of the SCO member states and the bloc BRICS as very significant for small countries that can be supported. Because you are for us - highly developed countries in economic terms. If we combine these great technological achievements of China's economic experience, the results can be very significant. There is no doubt that this is a very good association of countries, because it is present China as the second largest economy in the world. Thus, countries can help each other economically. And when that union will be on his feet and will gain power, it will support not only those countries that are part of this association, but also around the world. (To be continued Page 23)

Bashkortostan - Baluchistan

Prospects of Bilateral Inter-regional Relations

President Rustem Khamitov and Governor Muhammad Khan

Achakzai Explores Opportunities in Ufa Meeting

Russian Center for Science and Culture in Karachi in collabora-tion with Pak Russia Friendship Society and Association of Paki-stani Graduates from Russia & CIS celebrated 90TH Anniver-sary of its parent organization ROSSOTRUDNICHESTVO on 31st October 2015.

Mr Oleg Avdeev Consulate General of Russian Federation, Mr. Yury Zozulya - Director RCSC, Dr. Kaiser Bangali Advisor to CM Baluchistan and Dr Zahid

Hasan President of APGRS addressed the event. Inauguration of Office of Pak Russia Friendship Society and Association of Paki-stani Graduates from Russia & CIS were also organized.

We believe Pakistan is a developing economy. But we have a significant potential. We have a very strong industrial sector. We see ourselves as an im-portant country in Asia not only geographically, but also as a country that has good relations with its neighbors. Therefore, we believe that there are some areas where we can talk about in-vestment opportunities. Some industries cannot compete with European goods, but they can develop successfully on our terri-tory, taking into account factors rather cheap labor. The corridor between Pakistan and China - a very strong eco-nomic factor. It can be compared with the Trans-Siberian Rail-way. Therefore, there is investment. The province of Baluchistan is also involved in this process. Balochistan is very well located, since it has access to Central Asia and China. The Central Asian delegation very impressed with this project, as well as consider-ing the corridor as an opportunity to resolve economic issues. Considering all these factors, it appears that the combination of the SCO and BRICS may be important for Balochistan. The prov-ince is rich in minerals - there are iron, copper, manganese, co-balt and gold. All this is a lot, but it is necessary to extract from the depths. We are very pleased that just last week Russia signed a contract for laying gas pipes in our region from Karachi to La-hore. We can also cooperate in the military-industrial sphere. We believe that you and me might have been co-operation in these

areas. Just three weeks ago I met with the Russian Ambassador in Pakistan. He also sees great opportunities that may be rele-vant to our economies. The same evening we took a large dele-gation from Australia. And for dinner, we talked about coopera-tion with the SCO on all sides. Your representative was very hap-py with this discussion. This economic cooperation will contrib-ute to the strengthening of peace in our region. At the plenary session you have touched some problems, which we found inter-esting. Colleagues also raised interesting questions. For example, a representative from Italy said that about 60 percent of gross domestic product accounted for a small business. Pakistan is also close to this figure - 58 percent. In this part, too, can share their experiences to help our businesses. There was an impression that China, too, is in the process of reform. So you can use them and our experience. Of course, the exchange - this is a very good experience of cooperation. Today, Ufa I heard many interesting facts that, perhaps, a decade would not have heard. So let me invite you as a guest to visit Pakistan and Baluchistan province. Yes, of course, we are interested and Russian culture. We know writers, scientists, composers. With us came two rep-resentatives of small business. They are willing to share their experiences with colleagues from Bashkortostan. We are very pleased that the representatives of the private sector of our re-gion and your participate in the conference.

90th Anniversary of ROSSOTRUDNICHESTVO celebrated in Karachi

Governor of Balochistan in Ufa

A three-member delegation from Turkmenistan called on Paki-stan Science Foundation (PSF) Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Ash-raf on Tuesday and discussed avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan for development of science in the two brotherly countries. The delegation comprised Turkmenistan Deputy Minister of Edu-cation, Turkmen Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov and Turkmeni-stan’s National Institute of Manuscript Director Dr Ashyrov An-nagurban. Senior officers from Ministry of Science and Technolo-gy, Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and PSF were also present. The delegation is on an official visit to Pakistan for 1st Meeting of Joint Working Group on Cooperation in the fields of Education and Science and Technology (S&T) between Pakistan

and Turkmenistan on November 24-26. The PSF chairman briefed the delegation about the PSF mandate, programmes and international liaison with S&T organisations of many countries. He said that PSF has signed MoUs of cooperation with S&T organisations of China, Turkey and USA etc. Dr. Ashraf said that PSF was established in 1973 under and Act of Parlia-ment on the pattern of National Science Foundation of USA for promotion, development and funding of scientific research. Pakistan and Turkmenistan have already signed agreement of S&T Cooperation in 1994 and practical steps are needed to mate-rialise this cooperation, he maintained. The delegation was in-formed that 100 scholarships were available in Pakistan for stu-dents of OIC member countries and Turkmenistan can avail its

share. The meeting concluded that education, particularly science education is the only way to the national develop-ment and both the brotherly countries will take practical measures for cooperation in the fields of education and S&T.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visited Uzbekistan recently. The visit is part of regular high-level exchanges be-tween the two brotherly countries. The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Adviser to the Prime Minster on National Security and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Aviation and senior officials. According to a press statement from the Foreign Office,

Pakistan attaches high importance to its deep historical bonds with Central Asia and is committed to expanding mutually-

beneficial cooperation with all the countries in the region. The prime minister's visit to Uzbekistan was reflective of this high priority and broader commitment to further deepen Pakistan's engagement with Central Asia, it said. During his stay in Tashkent, the prime minister had meetings with President Islam Karimov, covering all aspects of bilateral relations. Leaders of the two countries reviewed the evolving regional

peace and security scenario and discuss ways in which the two

countries can work together and better coordinate to confront

terrorist threats in the region, said the Foreign Office.

PM Nawaz Sharif Visited Uzbekistan

Pakistan Turkmenistan: cooperation in science

A book of condolences was opened at

the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan for the

multiple victims of the air crash of Rus-

sian plane that occurred on October 31,

2015 in Egypt.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz, the Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs signed a book of condolences along with other heads and representatives of dip-lomatic missions and internation-al organizations in Islamabad.

The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Karachi also opened a con-dolence book following the crash of a Russian airliner in Egypt on October 31, 2015. A large number of diplomats, offi-cial and other distinguish personalities including Mr. Abdullah Hamed Salim Al Shamsi, Acting Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman, Mr. Shah Ahmad Saeed, Consul General of the Islamic

Republic of Afghani-stan, Mr. H.M.B. Herath, Consul Gen-eral of the Demo-cratic Socialist Re-public of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Al-Khaledi, Consul General of the State of Kuwait, Mr. John A. Tucknott, Deputy High Com-missioner of British Deputy High Com-mission in Karachi, Mr. Abdul Rauf Tabani, Honorary Consul of Belarus, Mr. Akira Ouchi, Consul General of Japan, Mr. Giulio Iazeolla, Acting Consul of Italy, Mr. Emil Wyss, Consul General of Switzerland, Mr. Murat M. Onart, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Mu Yong Peng, Deputy Consul General of China, Mr. Carsten Mueller, Consul & Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Syed Arifullah Hussaini, Vice-Admiral, Commander Karachi, and Mr. Rudy Kurniady, Consul of the Republic of Indo-nesia, signed a condolence book.

BOOK OF CONDOLENCES WAS OPENED AT THE EMBASSY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE

AIRCRASH OF THE RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT IN EGYPT

Renowned physician, scholar and Soviet Graduate Mr. Najam ul Sahar born on 7th March 1957 in Lahore. He is Vice President of Association of Pakistan Graduate Russia and CIS. He did his MD in 1981, from University of Moscow, USSR. He also got Diploma of interpreter Russian-English languages in 1980 He is Co-author of a number of research papers published in leading medical journals of USSR and Romania. He was Honored with author’s certificate by USSR Central Board of Inventions and Discoveries in 1983. Besides practicing family medicine he has been translating Rus-sian literature into Urdu language. He translated following books,

which have already been published in Pakistan: Master aur Margarita translated from Russian novel “Master e Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov. Urdu translation was first pub-lished in 2011 by “Sang-e-Meel”.The translation earned score of high rating reviews on print and visual media. Novel became pop-ular among readers and twice new editions have been published. Behar e Tanhai translated from Russian novel “Chelovek Am-phibia” by Aleksander Belyaev. Urdu translation has been pub-lished by “Sang e Meel” in 2014. Meri Akhri Jung…Afghanistan; Soviet Afwaj Ke Inkhala Ke Baad translated from Russian book “Moya Poslednya Voina…

Afghanistan bez Sovetskikh Voisk” by soviet general Gareev M A.Urdu translation has been published by “Jumhoori Publications in 2015 and has attracted atten-tion of readers and critics during book fair at expo cen-ter Lahore. Mukhtsir roosi afsnoN ka majmua…A collection of Rus-sian short stories“Nose”and“Portrait” by Gogol, “Anatomichisky zhenikh” by Belyaev and “Chestney Vor” by Dostoyevsky….urdu translation submitted for publica-tion. Khargosh aur Azhdha translated into urdu from Russian novel “Krolike e udave” by Fazil Iskander….submitted for publication.

VIPUSKNIK: Dr. Najam ul Sahar

Page 25

Russia– Pakistan: 4th Inter Governmental Commission

Trade and business relations between Pakistan and Russia are significantly improving but yet we need more direct link between business communities of the both countries. It was expressed by Mr. Yuri Kozlov, head of Trade Repre-sentation of Russian Federation in Paki-stan during his visit to various chamber commerce of Industries in Punjab. Mr. Kozlov visited chambers of com-merce and industry in Lahore, Srago-dha, and Gujrat He explained in detail the huge opportunities of bilateral co-operation between the two sides and said Pakistan Steel Mills and Guddu Power Plant in Muzaffargarh were the examples of cooperation and close link-ages. According to him, Pakistan can be assisted in various fields including geol-ogy, transport and infrastructure devel-opment. “Information about major Rus-sian companies is available on our web-site with their field of expertise,” he said. Russia is agreed to provide Pakistan technical and financial support for mega transnational projects such as Karachi-Lahore gas pipeline, CASA-1000 power supply and TAPAI gas pipeline. Conner of Association of Pakistan Grad-uates from Russia and CIS Dr. Shahid Hasan said on the occasion that busi-nessmen could avail huge opportunities in Russia and proposed a Pak-Russian trade centre to further strengthen eco-nomic relations. Sheikh Muhammad

Arshad, president LCCI, Mukhtar Mirza president SCCI, Mr. Muhammad Ijaz president GtCCI warmly welcome Russian envoy and ensured full cooperation for promoting trade and business between two countries.

Yuri Kozlov Visited Lahore, Sargodha , Gujrat Chambers:

Met with Businessmen

A grand ceremony to celebrate awarding a Rus-

sian Medal to Mr. Habib Ahmed, The Russian

Honorary Consul General in Lahore by Russian

President Vladimir Putin for his noble services to

bring closer relation between two countries, will

be held in Lahore. Governor Punjab and Ambas-

sador of Russian federation in Pakistan will be the

Chief Guests of ceremony. Association of Paki-

stan graduates from Russia and CIS hails decision

of President of Russian Federation and congratu-

lated Mr. Habib Ahmed. APGR&CIS viewed that

with the efforts of Mr. Habib Ahmed, both coun-

tries has now come forward in the fields of eco-

nomic development, cultural and technical coop-

eration

Mr. Habib Ahmed praise Russian president Mr. V.

Putin for his contribution and said “Pakistan’s

progress and prosperity is linked to regional

peace and stability, and also depend upon close

cooperation with regional countries and the in-

ternational community. Both the countries have

immense potential for economic and commercial

relations.” He said that Pakistan was facing great

challenges like natural calamities, energy crisis

and terrorism. “Despite all the crises, the demo-

cratic government is committed to reviving the

economy and eliminating militancy and terror-

ism,” he said. “I am sure that with the common

efforts, we will be able to overcome these cri-

ses.”

Mr. Vitaly Vovk, Minister for Industry of Belarus called on Khawaja Muham-

mad Asif, Federal Minister for Water and power. Areas of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation in the field of energy, defense and technological develop-ment came under discussion. It was apprised that Belarus was equipped with modern technologies in coal mining , dam construction and agriculture sector development. “our technolo-gy is European base, having good quality and low price , the Minister said. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Water and Power said that Pakistan have a lot of potential for the foreign investors, the policies of the government are business friendly. He urged the Belarusian Minister to come and make invest-ment in energy and agriculture sectors in Pakistan. Both the side agreed that people to people contact and exchange of delegation might be increased as it would lead to amplify trade and business activities be-tween the two countries. The Minister also accepted the invitation extended by the Belarusian’s Minister

BELARUSSIAN MINISTER CALLS ON

MINISTER FOR WATER AND POWER

A delegation of the Trade Development Authority

of Pakistan (TDAP) has visited Moscow and Saint

Petersburg from 14 to 18 September 2015.

Lahore: celebration of Award

for Mr. Habib Ahmed

Painting of Mr. Yuri Kozlov: Exhibition @ COMSATS

Association of Pakistan Graduates from Russia and CIS in collabora-tion with COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, is organizing painting exhibition of Mr. Yuri Kozlov at the Art Gallery located in university campus in Islamabad. Mr. Yuri Kozlov was born in Moscow. He graduated from the Economics Facul-ty of Moscow State University in 1980. He served Ministry of Economic Develop-ment of the Russian Federation, worked on the development and improvement of trade and economic cooperation of Rus-sia with the countries of South Asia. Since 2011, he is serving as head of Trade Rep-resentative of the Russian Federation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

A young Pakistani entrepreneur Ms. Huma Ghouse, has launched Pak Russia Language Club (PRLC) to teach Russian in Urdu lan-guage.

Huma herself started to learn Russian at National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad and then got admission in Peo-ples' Friendship University, Mos-cow, Russia.

With Pak Russia Language Club, her inspiration is to teach busi-

ness and communicative Russian for travelers to Russia and other CIS countries. She thinks that emerging economic and diplomatic cooperation between Russia and Pakistan essentially increase strength of Russian language in our bilateral relations. She claims that Russian language will be future business language of Pakistan along with English.

Pak Russia Language Club is currently established in Karachi but she

intent to enhance it in other region of Pakistan.

Russian State University of Humanity (RSUH) organized “Pakistan Festival” by presentation of Pakistan culture, stalls, Pakistani food, music, concert and documentary films. A large number of Russian students participated festival. Mr. Awais Qadir, President of Paki-stan Students Association Moscow played a key role to introduce cultural heritage, music, beautiful landscape. and beautiful diver-sity. Festival was also attended by foreign students studying in Moscow. Pakistan Festival held at Chayanova Street, Moscow, on 10th October, 2015.

PAKISTAN FESTIVAL IN

MOSCOW

Pak Russia Language Club

launched in Karachi

Consul General of the Russian Federation Mr. Oleg Avdeev partic-ipated in the seminar organized by Sindh Madressatul Islam Uni-versity. The topic of the seminar was «Higher education in Paki-stan: the way forward». Mr. Oleg Avdeev spoke on the seminar panel which discussed Pakistan’s cooperation with international partners in education. Consul General of Russia Mr. Oleg N. Av-deev in his speech said that research and higher teaching are a great source of Pakistan, but it requires more practical touch and establishment of more educational institutions in Pakistan. He said that there was only one university in Karachi that has singed

MoU with Russia. He offered SMIU to send a batch of its students to study for few months in Russia. "These exchanges could be very fruitful as we have space research and technology, hence they can benefit from it. He said that we are working with Paki-stan on these lines to establish linkages between both countries and we are offering ten free scholarships to Pakistan's students.

Russian Consul General partici-

pated in the Sindh Madressatul

Islam University Seminar

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Vipusknik 4-2015 Quarterly Newsletter

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