NEWS & EVENTS
GREF Seminar 2023 on 75 Years Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Pakistan
PUBLISHED IN
GREF Mission to Russian Federation
Meeting with H.E. Amb. Dr. Sergey Vasiliev, Deputy Chairman Committee for Economic Cooperation with Countries of Asia, Oceana and Russia – Pakistan Business Council, Moscow
Meeting with H.E. Amb. Mr. RishatKhalikov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Bashkortostan to the President of Russian Federation
Meetings with Rector Prof. Dr. Oleg A. Yastrebo (D. Sc), Pro – Rector International Affairs Ms. Yefremova Larisa Ivanouva and Prof. Dr. YuryMosekin (D. Sc) Dean School of Economics and Business Studies, RUDN University Moscow
Meeting at Lanta Bank with H.E. Mr. Sergey V. Dokuchaev, Chairman, Ms. Irina Rys Deputy Chairman, Gen. Anatoliy A. Korendyaser Vice President and Former Chairman Foreign Relations Committee of Russian Duma
Dinner Meeting with H.E. Mr. Shafqat Ali Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan at Moscow
Meeting with Prof. Dr. V. Y. BelokrinistKy (D. Sc), Head Center for the Study of Near and Middle Eastern Countries, and Dr. Irina SerenKo (D. Sc) of Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow
Meeting with Ms. NownaKagramanyan, Vice President, Mr. Anton SlichenKo, Director International Cooperation and Ms. Diana Kamaletolinova Project Manager International Cooperation, at DelovoyRuss – an All-Russia Public Organization Moscow
Meeting at State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation FSUE, I.P. Bardin Central Research Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy, Moscow with Mr. Sergey Karaulov, Deputy Director General State Counsellor of 3rd Grade and his team
Meeting with Ms. NownaKagramanyan, Vice President, Mr. Anton SlichenKo, Director International Cooperation and Ms. Diana Kamaletolinova Project Manager International Cooperation, at DelovoyRuss – an All-Russia Public Organization Moscow
MEETING IN PBIT LAHORE AMBASSDOR OF KG CHAIRMAN PBIT
GREF group enjoying Red Square Moscow in -13oC
Shahid Hassan, SVP GREF in Kyrgyzstan
Meeting with Mr. Sohrab Baraya, MOFA Russia
INTRODUCTION:
Russian Federation is one of the Core Countries of GREF. Pakistan’s economic and trade relations with Russia are at a very low despite the fact that there are over US$ 11 billion trade items which Russia imports from the world and Pakistan also exports to the world but not to Russia. This trade potential is unutilized almost totally. Our present exports to Russia is only US$175 million. There are several reasons for this low volume, some political and some non-political.
Pakistan has signed several Protocols as a result of Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) meetings. There were several items which had been mutually agreed upon between the two sides related to economic cooperation, culture, education, trade, agriculture, scientific research, industry both civilian and defense, oil and gas, electrical power etc. Unfortunately, this information was never passed on to its stakeholders and implementors by the bureaucracy. Even with the Ministries and the Provincial governments this information has not been shared. The surprising thing was that the Pakistan Embassy Moscow was not even aware of the entire spectrum of these Protocols.
GREF has planned a high-level mission to Russian Federation lead by its Chairman from Dec. 04, 2022 to Dec. 08, 2022. The aims and objectives of this Mission were:
- To introduce GREF to Russian business, academia and government at an appropriate level.
- To lobby for Pakistan at all available opportunities and at highest official levels.
- To explore possibilities of Pakistan-Russia business joint ventures and Russian investments in Pakistan.
- To assess market potential for Pakistani exports.
- To discuss financial and banking issues due to sanctions and their resolve.
- To explore possibilities to present Pakistan and our narrative in Russian media.
GREF Senior Vice President, Dr. Shahid Hasan was assigned the task of arranging and coordinating all meetings at Moscow. Dr. Shahid’s extra-ordinary efforts made the visit very successful and several major tangible achievements have been made.
GREF delegation member were were:
1. Lt. Gen. Sikander Afzal, (retd.), Chairman | 3. Dr. Shahid Hasan (Senior Vice President,Head of Russia Chair) |
2. Mr. Hasnain Reza Mirza President | 4. Mr. Kashif Younus Meher (Vice President, Head R&D and Turkiye Chair) |
Meeting with H.E. Amb. Dr. Sergey Vasiliev, Deputy Chairman Committee for Economic Cooperation with Countries of Asia, Oceana and Russia – Pakistan Business Council, Moscow, December 12, 2022
The Russian Federation Business Council for Cooperation with Pakistan is a Semi-governmental body. Its Chairman is appointed by the Russian M/o Foreign Affairs under the directions of Russian Parliament Foreign Relations Committee. The former Chairman was a three stars General of the Federal Security Services (FSB) who was also member of the Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee. The new Chairman has just been appointed who is also a Member of Duma Foreign Relations Committee.
Amb. Vasiliev said that there is a big problem of information from Pakistan. He strongly advised that the following must be done on urgent basis and GREF should take the role of coordination between them, Pakistani TDAP, M/o Commerce, FPCCI and FBR. It was mutually agreed upon with Amb. Sergey Vasiliev that GREF shall:
- Detailed information regarding opportunities in Pakistan, trade items from Pakistan, investment opportunities and investment policies of Pakistan in industrial, energy, agri and minerals sectors.
- To have at least twice a year Pakistani Exhibition in Moscow, St. Petersberg, Ufa and other major cities of Russia like India does.
- To establish Pakistan Trade Houses in Russia.
- Must have media coverage of Pakistan in Russian Electronic Media showing documentaries of Pakistani culture, history, economy, industry, etc.
- To have frequent exchanges of business delegations, sector wise is needed. GREF recommendation will be required.
- Sergey Vasiliev can assist Pak business entities recommended by GREF.
Pakistani FBR and State Bank should send a delegation to initiate discussions and resolve the banking issues.
Meeting with H. E. Amb. Mr. RishatKhalikov, Acting Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Bashkortostan to the President of Russian Federation, December 5, 2022
Bashkortostan is an autonomous region of Russian Federation with Ufa as its capital and is the 3rd major industrial city of the Russian Federation. The following was mutually discussed and agreed upon.
- Pakistani businessmen are invited to the Ufa International Exhibition, one of the major exhibition of Russian Federation.
- They also need invitation from FPCCI or LCCI to bring a large business delegation to Pakistan. GREF needs to provide the list of industrial and trade sectors and arrange B2B meetings. GREF office will be the coordinator for visit.
- They are interested to buy from Pakistan knitwear, leather goods all types of textile items and cloth, hand carved furniture, fruit pulp, potatoes, all types of fresh fruits and vegetables, fashion wear, jeans and denim cloth, auto parts for European cars, sports items, cutlery items, china ware, etc. they proposed to hold a single country exhibition of these and other items in Ufa.
- They also want to get developed their own brands from Pakistan. GREF will also assist them in finding good partners in Pakistan.
- GREF to send details of trade items from Pakistan.
Meetings with RectorProf. Dr. Oleg A. Yastrebov (D.Sc.), Pro-Rector International AffairsMs. Larisa Ivanovna Yefremova, Prof. Dr. YuryMoseykin (D.Sc.) Dean, School of Economics and Business Studies, RUDN University Moscow and Mr. Sergei Chernikov, Economic Faculty International Program Coordinator, December 06, 2022
RUDN is the largest international University of Russia having over 4000 foreign students from all six continents. RUDN has almost all the disciplines except music. It has 230 faculty members out of which 150 are full time having Ph.D and D.Sc. degrees.
- RUDN is the Secretariat of BRICS and SCO Universities Network. Pakistan is also a signatory to SCO network SOSH through HEC. But no one knows about this in Pakistan. RUDN had sent 2 years back full documentation regarding academic and educational collaboration with Pakistan to Pakistan Embassy in Beijing for further action. Nothing was done from Pakistani side.
- RUDN School of Economics and Business Administration is also a member of Association of CIS, CARs and Russian Business Schools which is an internationally accredited body. The Dean of School of Economics Prof. Dr. Yuri Moseykin is also the President of this Association.
- RUDN is running dual degree and exchange programs with Universities of several Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, African, Latin American countries, Iran, India, China, Turkey, Japan and Australia. Recently they have signed the same with Saudi Arabia. They want to do the same with Pakistani Universities.
- RUDN is willing to offer scholarships to Pakistani students. They are also willing to do faculty training and exchange program with Pakistani Universities. RUDN has also offered to conduct short courses for Pakistani Entrepreneurs on Russian Business Interaction & Cooperation. Such courses can be of up to 15 days.
- GREF has an MoU with RUDN for academic, research collaboration and establishment of GREF Moscow Centre for Research. GREF has also arranged and facilitated the MoUs between RUDN and the Punjab University and UMT Lahore for full academic and research activities and joint degree programs.
The Rector RUDN directed his team to finalize all details with GREF to operationalize the GREF Research Centre before the end of year. He also informed that the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Education and Research has already approved this Project of GREF Centre and the Russian Parliamentary (Duma) Committee for Foreign Relations has also endorsed it, so all approvals are in place. Therefore, the Centre should be activated as soon as possible.
The Centre will conduct seminars, conferences, webinars and research work in the fields of (i) Geopolitical Economics (ii) Strategic Economic Cooperation (iii) Local currency and Barter Trade Mechanism and Financial Systems (iv) Global and Reginal Strategic and Diplomatic Relations and News Blocs of Central, South Asian and Eurasian Countries (v) Media and (vi) Information Warfare (vii) Economic, Energy and Food Diplomacy and (viii) Global Environmental Changes. GREF and RUDN can add with mutual consent any other fields of study and research.
The Centre will also be taking Master’s and Ph.D students and exchange scholars from GREF countries.
Pro-Rector Ms. Larisa Yefremova from RUDN side and Mr. Hasnain Reza Mirza, President GREF and Dr. Shahid Hasan SVP GREF will coordinate from GREF side.
Meeting at Lanta Bank with H.E. Mr. Mr. Sergev V., DOKUCHAEV Owner of the Bank & Chairman of the Board, Ms. Irina Rys. Deputy Chairman of the Board, Gen. Anatoliy A. Korendyasev, Vice President Former Member Duma Former Chairman Foreign Relation Committee, Russian Duma. Mr. Valeri Malakhov, Advisor for Government Affairs, Russian Federation. Mr. SokovVasily, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board, December 6, 2022
Lanta Bank is basically a frontend organization of a very large group of companies. The Bank is not under sanctions. The Bank has its own gold mining company which is one of the top five gold mining & processing companies in the world. It also has the largest and the oldest Russian jewelry company established in 1780. The Group has defense equipment manufacturing company, rare earth mining and development company, leather and textile companies, food and agriculture companies, chemicals companies, etc. The Chairman is the old-time friend and partner of the President Putin. He runs all other international and political affairs whereas, his daughter runs the Bank affairs.
The following had been mutually agreed upon:
- They are willing to work as the main point of interaction for Pakistani business and can help in getting Pakistan’s interests presented with success at the top Russian quarters.
- They have asked GREF to send them a few specific projects in chemical, auto mobile, food, agriculture, industry, leather and mining sectors. They had already sent a reconnaissance team to Pakistan’s Northern Areas and GB. They are very much interested in mining of Lithium, gold, cadmium, cobalt, etc. in GB and Baluchistan. They are also willing to consider good industrial proposals for Baluchistan.
- They want to have corresponding bank relations with some Pakistani bank and requested GREF to help.
- The Bank is ready to offer secure & regular payments arrangements for Pakistani business with Russia. They are already doing it with other countries.
They also gave a questionnaire to GREF and need information on investment policies and foreign investment protection policy in Pakistan.
GREF gave them an invitation letter from Baluchistan BOI inviting them to Baluchistan for Investment in different sectors. GREF told them that we do not want only mining but we want full process to be done in Pakistan and Pakistan should be paid on the basis of final product and not on the basis or earth ore.
Mr. Kashif has offered to provide them with a list of products and projects in Pakistan.
Meeting with Dr. Ms. NonnaSayadovnaKagramanyan, Vice President Head of Executive Board, Member of the General Council. Mr. Anton Slinchenko, Director Department for International Cooperation, Ms. Diana Kamaletdinova, Project Manager, Department for International cooperationat Delovoy Russ – an All-Russia Public Organization Moscow, December 7, 2022
Russian Business (Delovoy Russ) is an All Russian Public Organization headed by the former Prime Minister and reports to the President of Russia. Their job is to advice the President on Economic and Trade affairs. They have more than 8000 large and medium business enterprises of Russian Federation as their members whom they control and regulate on behalf of the President of Russia.
It was mutually decided that both parties will:
- Establish a Single Window for the exchange of information and exchange of business and investment proposals.
- Both sides will sign an MoU describing in details all activities to carried out by the two sides.
- To prepare concrete and specific project proposals for B2B Joint Ventures and recommend to each other.
- To hold joint webinars on specific topics and sectors of bilateral economic and trade issues.
- To hold at least two meetings every year to discuss issues and to monitor progress in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Meeting withProf. Dr. Mr. Vyacheslav Y. Belokrenitsky (D.Sc.), Head of the Centre for the Study of Near and Middle Eastern Countries, Dr. Ms. Irina NikolayevnaSerenko (D.Sc.), Head Pakistan Chair, Dr. Mr. SameullahPoya, Senior Research Advisor, December 7, 2022
The Russian Academy of Sciences was established in 1703 by the Queen Catherine, and the Institute of Oriental Studies was established as a separate entity after the Belshovic Revolution of 1917. Whereas, the Centre for the Study of Near and Middle Eastern Countries was established after the Second World War when Asia got divided in to several countries. Russia was among the first three countries which recognized Pakistan and established its Embassy in Karachi. The Pakistan Chair was also established in 1947. The Centre has done a lot of research on different aspects of Pakistan’s cultural, social, political and economy. They have published several books on Pakistan both in Russian and English. This year they are celebrating 75 years of Russia-Pakistan relations.
GREF is in contact with them since 2018 and both sides have participated in webinars and conferences arranged by each other. One of the papers from GREF authored jointly by Dr. Zainab Ahmed and Mr. Hasnain Reza Mirza has been accepted to be published in the 4th Edition of Institutes Journal.
The two sides have agreed as follows:
- Both sides will jointly organize webinars/seminars, panel discussions, etc. on different topics of mutual interest.
- Both sides will sign an MoU for cooperation.
- The IOSRAS will publish a book commemorating 75th anniversary of Pak-Russia relations covering (i) history of Political relations (ii) historical proof of linkages of Pakistani people with Central Asia and Russia, history of inter-marriages, etc. (iii) Common culture and heritage, (iv) Strategic Communications between the people of two countries and (iv) future prospects for strengthening people to people relations, etc.
- Research papers on different aspects of political, social and strategic economic cooperation and issues.
- Exchange of research scholars.
- Any other items proposed by the two sides
Meeting withMr. Lev VyacheslavovichTretyakov, CEO, Ms. Valeria Arkhipova, Deputy CEOof M/s Royal Group and JSC Chemical Metallurgical Plant, Moscow, December 8, 2022
The JSC Chemical and Metallurgical Plant is one of the several companies of M/s. Royal Group which in turn is part of Lanta Bank conglomerate. They have large mining and metallurgical plants and facilities in Siberia and East of Russia. They are also interested in Lithium and other rare earth metals mining in Baluchistan. The Royal Group is also in to oil, gas, automobile Parts, food, steel and textile business.
They would like to have a strong partner in Pakistan for Baluchistan operations. They have asked GREF assistance in the matter.
GREF had handed them over an invitation letter from the BOI, Government of Baluchistan in their name, inviting them to invest in Baluchistan, which they have very quickly replied and asked for certain information from BOI and the best time to visit Baluchistan.
GREF to coordinate all this.
Meeting at State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation FSUE, I.P. Bardin Central Research Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy, Moscow with Mr. Sergey Karaulov, Deputy Director General State Counsellor of 3rd Grade, December 8, 2022
The I.P. Bardin Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy is the top research institute of Russia in metallurgy. Russia and Pakistan had agreed and signed the Minutes of 7th IGC in Moscow where the Russian Government has offered to establish in Pakistan its first Ferrous Metallurgical research centre. Russia has proposed the name of I.P. Bardin Institute to collaborate with Pakistan. The Institute has its own underground steel Mill and testing labs for advanced research. They have 150 Specialists (D.Sc and Ph.D) working in research and academic areas at the Institute. They cover all aspects and areas of Ferrous metals, alloy metals and special steel. They work for automobile, rail road and defense industries.
GREF proposed to the Institute Administration that GREF can help in fulfilling the respective clause of the joint protocol through public and private sector collaboration. GREF proposed Model Steel Group of Mr. Kashif Younus Meher to work with the Institute to establish the Advanced Research and Education Centre in Metallurgy at Lahore, may be in collaboration with UET Lahore. The Institute Management agreed to this proposal.
Both sides agreed to collaborate as per the following four directions:
- P Bardin Institute will train Pakistani scholars and experts in all field available with the Institute.
- The Institute will send its experts and scholars to teach in Pakistan.
- The Institute will collaborate in setting up the Advanced research facility at Lahore in JV with Model Steel Group.
- Kashif will prepare a complete proposal for this venture and send it to them. Once both sides finalize the modalities and the proposal it shall be presented to the Russian Government for financial aspects permission.
Dinner Meeting with H.E. Mr. Shafqat Ali Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan at Moscow
MEETING IN PBIT LAHORE AMBASSDOR OF KG CHAIRMAN PBIT
GREF group enjoying Red Square Moscow in -13oC
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES PROGRAM – 2023
The main theme for the year 2023 will be the “Regional Connectivity”. There will be following two directions we will be working on:
- Economic:
(i). Regional Connectivity for the Shared Regional Economic Development.
- Strategic:
Regional Connectivity: Its Geopolitical and Geostrategic Impacts.
- CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/WEBINARS/PANEL DISCUSSIONS:
The conferences/seminars/webinars will be on the following proposed topics:
- Policy Framework for Energy Diplomacy for Energy Security, Cross-border Energy Trade & Regional Energy Grid.
- Regional Connectivity for Strategic Economic Cooperation.
- Regional Transit Trade, Establishing Joint Customs Union and Devising Alternate Banking Methods to Circumvent Sanctions.
- Private Sector Role in the Security and Stability for the Success of CPEC. (International with China.)
- Seminar on Exploring New Opportunities with China in the Wake of Changing Geopolitical Situation.
- Seminar on Building National Narrative to Counter Media War.
- Seminar on Russia-Ukraine War: Opportunities for Pakistani Economy, Business and Industry.
- Strategic Communication for Economic Diplomacy and National Security.
- Joint Conference with Oriental Studies Institute, Academy of Sciences Russian Federation on 75 years of Pakistan’s Relations with Russia.
- Book Launch:“Alternative tothe IMF” by Dr. Shahida Wizarat.
- Economic & Strategic Role & Place of Pakistan in Transforming Global & Regional Politics.
- Developing Regional Industrial Supply Chain Network.
- RESEARCH PAPERS:
- Strategic Communication Framework for Diplomacy & National Security. (Dr. Zainab Ahmed).
- Pakistan’s Regional Connectivity, Issues, Opportunities and Challenges. (Dr. Zainab Ahmed).
- Framework for Regional SPV for Barter and Local Currency Trade. (Sajjid Amin GREF).
- Economic Diplomacy Framework for National Economic Security. (Miss Zubda Zia, KC HOD Economics).
- MISCELANEOUS ACTIVITIES:
- Visits to CARs & GRCs.
- MoUs Local / International
- WORKSHOP:
- Workshop on Strategic Communications Policy Framework for Economic Diplomacy & National Economic Security.
- Workshop on Developing National Media Policy Framework.
Year 2022
- 5 Nos. of Seminars (National and International).
- 2 Nos. Webinars on National Security.
- 3 Nos. of Research papers.
- Regional Connectivity Initiative.
- Mutual Cooperation Agreement with RUDN, Russian Federation
Year 2021
- 8 Nos. of international Webinars with 38 speakers related to GREF Initiatives.
- 3 Nos. of Research papers.
- Proposals by GREF Regarding Barter Trade and Border Markets Implemented by the Government of Pakistan
- Launching of 8 Nos. GREF Initiatives.
- 9 Nos. of National and International Webinars with 42 Speakers related to GREF Initiatives
- 1 No. research paper on Regional Strategic Challenges.
- Mutual Cooperation Agreements with Think-Tanks & Universities in Golden Ring Countries.
Year 2019
- Third Parliamentary Speakers Conferences of Golden Ring Countries at Ankara, Türkiye.
- 2 Nos. of Panel discussions.
- 1 No. Panel discussion on Economic Challenges to Pakistan.
- Launching of 8 Nos. GREF Initiatives.
Year 2018
- Second Parliamentary Speakers Conferences of Golden Ring Countries at Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
- 3 Nos. Seminars on National Strategic Economic Security.
- 1 No. Seminar on Regional Security Challenges, Implications for Pakistan.
Year 2017
- First Parliamentary Speakers Conferences of Golden Ring Countries at Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Recognition of GREF Initiative by China, Iran and Russian Federation.