The parties exchanged information and discussed possible areas for cooperation.

(Kazan, July 30, Tatar-inform). The Tatarstan deputy industry and trade Minister Bulat Fakhrutdinov has met with the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, led by the trade minister Mohammad Ilyas Gauri. The parties exchanged information and discussed prospective areas for cooperation, reports the ministry’s press service.

The Pakistan delegation includes the Embassy of Pakistan manager for trade development Samvel Bagdasaryan, businessmen representing the light and food industry, and chemical production.

The Kamaz and Kazan Helicopter Plant production subcontracting centre director Ildar Mingaleev took part in the meeting.

The deputy minister Bulat Fakhrutidnov said trade between Tatarstan and Pakistan was not particularly active and large. Pakistan ranks 75th among Tatarstan’s trading partners in terms of external trade. In 2009, foreign trade with Pakistan totalled $1,377.7 thousand, including exports of $1,217. 6 and imports of $160.1 thousand. The share of export and import within the Tatarstan-Pakistan trade were 88.4 and 11.6 percent respectively. Pakistan’s cooperation is the most intensive with Kamaz, Nizhnekamksneftekhim, Nizhnekamskshina and Kazan Helicopter Plant.

Mohammad Ilyas Gauri said the purpose of the visit was to study Tatarstan’s economic, investment and industrial potential. Recommendations are to be prepared following the visit, aimed to support bilateral trade and economic relations between Russia and Pakistan within the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s forthcoming participation in the quadruple summit in Sochi in August.

The guests were presented the Tatarstan’s industrial and investment potential, as well as information relating to Kamaz and Kazan Helicopters’s past cooperation with Pakistan and new areas for cooperation. The delegation toured the Idea technology park and Tatarstan Commerce and Industry Chamber, where direct meetings were held between Tatarstan and Pakistan businessmen.
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