Report: Hurish Shah FT:
ISLAMABAD –Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia have called for stronger trade, investment and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, stressing the need for greater private-sector engagement to turn bilateral economic opportunities into concrete business partnerships.
The views were exchanged during a meeting at the ICCI Chamber House, where Ambassador Tirmizi identified healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food security, tourism, sports goods and surgical instruments as key sectors offering opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment.
The ambassador emphasised the need to simplify visa procedures, establish direct air connectivity and address banking and payment-related challenges to facilitate business activities. He also discussed preparations for a bilateral business forum, proposing advance meetings between companies to identify potential partners and develop practical business proposals. Improved transport connectivity through Iran, Afghanistan and China was also highlighted as a means of boosting bilateral trade.
Ambassador Tirmizi stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in education, science, engineering and agricultural research through university partnerships and student exchanges. He also highlighted Russian-language education, cultural exchanges and collaboration between media and creative industries as important avenues for strengthening people-to-people relations.
Welcoming the ambassador, ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia called for joint ventures between Pakistani and Russian entrepreneurs, particularly in the power, steel and other industrial sectors. He said regular business-to-business engagements and stronger institutional cooperation could help attract investment, facilitate technology transfer and promote industrial development in both countries.
Zia also emphasised the importance of consistent, long-term economic policies formulated in consultation with the private sector, particularly chambers of commerce and industry. He said policy continuity, a predictable regulatory environment and effective coordination between the government and business community were essential for attracting investment and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chattah also underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and practical business cooperation to strengthen economic relations between Pakistan and Russia.
Former ICCI President Mohammad Ejaz Abbasi, Council Member Chaudhry Masood, Executive Committee Members Abbas Hashmi, Shahid Abbasi, Mohammad Nauman, Mohammad Khurshid, Zohaib Arshad Malik and Israr Mishwani, along with other business community representatives, attended the meeting.
