Pakistan and Tatarstan to enhance economic cooperation

Pakistan and Tatarstan have agreed here on Monday to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries to the strategic level.
First Deputy Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation of the Republic of Tatarstan of RF Linar Latypov and Pak-Russia Business Council of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI).
Director and Integrated Textiles Network's Chief Executive Officer Farooq Afzal decided this at a meeting held here. During the meeting, Farooq said that Pakistan and Russia were good friends who had a longstanding commitment for mutual cooperation. Farooq Afzal thanked the Tatarstan First Deputy Economic Minister for the support provided by Tatarstan to Pakistan in developing and upgrading its industrial structure.
He also appreciated the Russian government for giving Pakistan an observer status at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO). "We should extend our excellent bilateral relations to the next generation," Farooq Afzal told to Linar Latypov.
Farooq particularly mentioned the joint IPI project - the gas pipeline project that joins Iran, Pakistan and India - and Russian help in the construction of this multi-billion-dollar project
Tatar First Deputy Minister Linar Latypov said Russia was pleased that Pakistan had been given an observer status in SCO. He expressed the hope that Islamabad would make useful contribution to this important multilateral forum.
Besides, Economic Minister Farooq met with the members of business community particularly textiles and garments in the Ministry Secretariat and gave the presentation of Pakistan Textiles Industry.
In the meeting with textile buyers, Farooq Afzal briefly enlightened the strategic plan, which the government and private sector of Pakistan had undertaken for enhancement of international competitiveness of Pakistan textiles products.
He told the buyers that Pakistan had implemented an ambitious strategic plan for the textiles industry with an investment of 5.6 billion dollars to upgrade its operating facilities.
This was the first time in the history of Pak-Russia trade relations that any Pakistani firm gave the awareness to the Republic of Tatarstan of RF regarding the exportable items from Pakistan particularly textile goods.
He also met with Business Information Department of Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Head Dmitry Shevelev. During these meetings, Farooq discussed issues of bilateral interest and regional and international developments.-PR