Pak - Russia ties: Russian SMEs and Pak SMEDA vow for direct linkages

Pak - Russia ties: Russian SMEs and Pak SMEDA vow for direct linkages

LAHORE (APP): A delegation consisting of Mr Yury M Kozlov, trade representative in Pakistan for the Russian Federation and Dr Shahid Hasan, Head Russia Chair from Golden Ring Economic Forum, visited SMEDA head office here on today.

The visit was aimed to discuss bilateral trade relations, future possibilities of linkages development and trade promotion.

READ MORE: EU sanctions against Russian figures

Haroon Ahmad Khan, General Manager Business & Sector Development Services and Dr Naeem Rauf, GM-Central Support,SMEDA received the Russian envoys along with Mr. Sheharyar Tahir, Head External Relations Department and Ms. Nadia Jahangir Seth, Head Policy and Planning Division of SMEDA.

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) officials identified previous working with Russia and proposed development of direct linkages with SMEs and business organizations of Russia.

The SMEDA also proposed to get grass root level access for entrepreneurs from both sides through B2B meeting with Russian SMEs and bilateral trade delegation visits.

The SMEDA's proposals were appreciated by Mr Yury and he further added that there was a need for development of a joint information sharing platform.

He also conveyed that Russian investments were at a moderate level right now, however, there was a lot of interest from their side to invest in Pakistan.

The SMEDA was identified as a potential partner for information sharing, hand-holding of SMEs for visits, joint ventures, investment programmes and SME development programmes.

The SMEDA would also act as an intermediary in facilitating businesses from both sides at national and international forums.

READ MORE: Putin-May first meeting : Will the ice melt between Russia and Britian?

The discourse ended with the decision to work together, keep in contact and hold multiple meetings in future with SMEDA to develop bilateral trade relation.

Mr. Yury added that he will discuss all possible business and trade propositions with Russian Economic Minister in future and discuss future investment plans with SMEDA.