Energy, IT top Pak-Russia trade agenda

Eight sectors were singled out by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) as priorities for widening commerce with Russia, according to The Express Tribune. The list spans energy, gas, information technology, surgical instruments, sports goods, tourism, pharmaceuticals and transport. These areas came up when Pakistan's ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, paid a courtesy visit to RCCI President Nosherwan Khalil Khan.

Talks centred on fresh avenues for trade and economic cooperation, with particular attention to openings for Pakistani firms in the Russian market. Participants also raised hurdles that Pakistani businesses face there, including visa rules, letters of credit (LCs), banking channels, information sharing and trade connectivity.

Stress was laid on tighter institutional ties between the chambers of the two countries, through wider networking, exchanges of trade delegations, one-to-one business matchmaking and joint ventures. Senior vice president Waseem Aslam was present, along with two ex-presidents, Raja Amer Iqbal and Zahid Latif Khan, plus several RCCI executive committee members.