The first meeting of experts of the MCCI commission on foreign economic cooperation with partners in Pakistan was held at the MCCI in 13th of March.
Today Pakistan is perceived in Russia as a promising partner, with significant potential for cooperation. According to the population census of 2017, about 207 million people live in Pakistan. Agriculture plays an important role in the country's economy (more than 20% of the GNP), while industry is being actively developed. The primarily exports of the country constitute textile products, as well as cotton, wheat, rice; carpets are manufactured and exported.
The Vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Suren Vardanyan, emphasized that the Chamber has been working with partners in Pakistan for a long time and fruitfully, but today the new commission will be actively assume the functions of promoting Russian companies in this promising Asian market, supporting joint ventures and Pakistani companies in Moscow. He noted that there exists potential in both the textile and fashion industries. At the same time, Moscow is the largest center for attracting new technologies based on technology parks’ platforms.
The Acting Chairman of the Business Council of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Cooperation with Pakistan, Mr. Sergey Vasiliev, presented an overview of the development of economic relations between the two countries. Pakistan became a member of the SCO, which gave a new impetus for the progressing development of the Russian-Pakistani relations. On November 30, 2017, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was held, which was headed by the Russian Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Denis Manturov, and by Pakistani Minister of Defense, Mr. Khuram Dastgir Khan. The parties noted that Pakistan is an important partner of Russia in such areas as electric power, oil and gas supplies; aviation automotive industries, etc. An agreement was signed for the delivery of liquid gas from Russia to Pakistan. Mr. Vasiliev noted that currently a big role in the economic development of Pakistan is played by its northern neighbor - China, which accounts for more than 60 billion dollars of investment.
Nevertheless, according to experts, there is a problem of non-conformity of standards; therefore the government of Pakistan has offered Russia to sign an agreement on mutual recognition of standards to facilitate trade. In Pakistan, there is an agency, the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency, which, in fact serves, as the structure that promotes the export of Pakistani products, especially textiles, vegetables, machinery, pharmaceuticals.
The Chairman of the MCCI Commission, Mr. Stanislav Korolev, noted that the new structure brought together experts, who understand the region well (he is also the President of the authoritative International Association of Asian Historians and Deputy Secretary General of the Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia). "The business cultures of our countries are quite different. That is why the Commission focuses on assistance, promotion, coordination, the all-around assistance in the development of economic contacts", said Mr.Korolev.
He also outlined the main activities: the development of bilateral ties between small and medium-sized businesses of both countries; liquidation of legal illiteracy in business; realization of opportunities for cooperation with the Islamabad and Karachi Chambers of Commerce (already in April 2018, a business trip to Pakistan is scheduled, within the framework of which meetings will be held with the leadership of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry); creation of interaction measures; organization of business events (conferences, forums, seminars); advising on development opportunities in the Pakistani market; providing access to information.
Mr. Igor Shipunov, an expert in international relations, noted that the Russian Center for Science and Culture operates in Karachi. The infrastructure of such centers can be used to create permanent venues to attract the attention of entrepreneurs, which will increase the intensity and quality of contacts.
The Executive Director of the Business Council of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Cooperation with Pakistan, Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, noted that there is very little information about Russia in the country, and today it is also distorted due to the propaganda of the mass media. With that, Pakistan needs Russian investments, it is important to develop channels for the supply of Pakistani goods to the Russian market.
Within the framework of the meeting, Mr. Mikhail Konovalov, the Managing Director of the Vneshtorgbank's Corporate Business Development Group (PAO), said that the bank is interested in accompanying investors in implementing joint projects in Pakistan.
The participants agreed that the Commission of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business Council of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation will act jointly to stimulate Russian-Pakistani cooperation.