Punjab, Tatarstan to promote bilateral ties in different sectors

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met with Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at a local hotel on Saturday and discussed matters of mutual interest including promotion of bilateral relations in different sectors. The Chief Minister welcomed the President of Tatarstan to Lahore and said his visit would promote bilateral relations between the two countries. "We should further promote our bilateral relations," he said. "Full protection will be provided to investors of Tatarstan and they will also own hundred percent of their investment."
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had visited Tatarstan in 1999 when 'His Excellency was the Prime Minister'. The CM also spoke with the President of Tatarstan in Russian language. The president of Tatarstan, on the occasion, said that he is happy to visit Lahore, and they should work together to promote bilateral relations.
Later, Shehbaz Sharif and the President of Tatarstan held a delegation-level meeting during which it was agreed to promote bilateral relations in different sectors including skills development, petro-chemical, technology, industry, mines, agriculture, livestock, tourism, sports and other sectors. The meeting also constituted a joint committee to identify different sectors to promote cooperation between the government of Punjab and the Republic of Tatarstan. The President of Tatarstan appreciated the command of Chief Minister on Russian language.
The President of Tatarstan said it was absolutely incorrect to link terrorism and fanaticism with the religion of Islam. Islam teaches peace and brotherhood. Islamic norms are based on brotherhood, tolerance and love. The President of Tatarstan also invited the Chief Minister to visit his country. Provincial Ministers Sheikh Alla-ud-Din, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chaudhary Sher Ali, Jehangir Khanzada, Naeem Akhtar Bhaba, Advisor Umer Saif, senior officials as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan were present on the occasion.
Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the Punjab-Tatarstan Business Forum in a local hotel, said that Pakistan and Russian Federation have economic relations for the last many decades; and trade was also carried out through barter system between the two countries. He said there are opportunities for promoting bilateral economic cooperation between Pakistan and Tatarstan. Both the countries can further promote bilateral relations in agriculture, engineering, information technology, energy, petrochemical, livestock, tourism and other sectors.
Shehbaz invited the investors of Tatarstan to invest in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab. "We will provide them every opportunity. The investors of Tatarstan should sit together with the investors of Pakistan and the Punjab government and develop a roadmap for promoting bilateral economic relations. Punjab has vast opportunities of investment due to its strong infrastructure. The investors of Tatarstan should come forward and invest here," he said.
As a result of 54 billion dollars investment under the CPEC, trade and economic activities have been boosted in the region, and it can be helpful in promoting economic relations with Tatarstan and Russian Federation, he added. Shehbaz Sharif hoped that this visit of the President of Tatarstan would open a new era of trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Tatarstan. There is strong economic potential in Tatarstan, and it has good expertise in e-governance, information technology, agriculture and livestock. "We would like to benefit from your experience, vision and expertise. Your e-governance model is also impressive. We will benefit from your expertise in the field of IT." he said.
He said the Punjab is the biggest province of Pakistan with the population over 100 million, and there is tremendous potential of investment in different fields. He said the energy crisis is about to end due to sincere efforts of the government. Out of 54 billion dollars investment under the CPEC, he said 36 billion dollars are being spent on energy projects. Work on the energy production projects from coal, solar, wind, hydel, gas and other sources, is in progress. While federal and the Punjab governments are also setting up 3600 mega-watt gas power projects from their own sources; and these would be completed in record time. He said that investment potential is available in tourism sector in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab. Tatarstan has an expertise in this field and we can jointly work to promote tourism.
He said that cricket is a popular game in Pakistan, while the game of football is also liked. Tatarstan and Pakistan can also promote cooperation in sports field, and Tatarstan can extend cooperation for promotion of the game of football. He said that Islam is a religion of peace. It is incorrect to link terrorism and fanaticism with Islam. "We condemn the elements linking terrorism and fanaticism with Islam, as Islam is the religion of peace. Terrorism and fanaticism has no link with Islam; no one is authorized to shed blood of the innocent people."
He said promotion of inter-faith harmony is need of the hour. We will have to work collectively to eliminate terrorism and fanaticism so that this world could become a peaceful and secure place.
The President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov said, in his address, that he is pleased to see the wonderful progress in the Punjab. Punjab is the most developed province of Pakistan and the people are known for their hospitality. He said that Tatarstan and Pakistan have economic relations which are needed to be further promoted. He said that cooperation with the Punjab government, in different fields, would be enhanced to work collectively.
Provincial Finance Minister Ayesha Ghous Pasha presented the address of welcome and gave a detail of facilities for foreign investors as well as the opportunities of investment in the Punjab. The head of Tatarstan's trade agency, Taliya Minullina spoke about prospects of cooperation in different fields between Tatarstan and the Punjab Government. Agreement was signed between Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. President Lahore Chamber, Abdul Basit and representatives of Tatarstan Chamber signed the agreement. Similarly, MOU was signed for cooperation in IT.