KARACHI OCT 28 (TNS): Sindh Government has entered into a cooperation agreement with St Petersburg aimed at promoting partnership between the two in the fields of trade and business, science and technology, education and research, sports and culture respectively.
Provincial Minister for Planning and Development, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Governor of St Petersburg, Georgie Sergeevich signed Memorandum of Understanding in St. Petersburg, ushering Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Russian Federation into a new phase of cordiality.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials of Russian Federation alongwith Chairman, Sindh Planning and Development Board, Muhammad Waseem, Chairperson, Sindh Board of Investment and Principal Secretary to the Sindh Chief Minister, Sohail Rajput.
The implementation of MoU will facilitate exchanges between the regions in business, culture, art, tourism, and technology, bringing both countries closer, and rekindle the historic relationship.
Prior to the formal signing of the MoU Sindh government officials met the President of the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and discussed cooperation in many sectors. The Chairperson SBI confirmed that collaboration in textiles, light industry, medical industry power machines and energy sector would deliver fantastic results.
The counterparts from St. Petersburg agreed that there was need to promote cooperation between the two.
Geographical proximity along with historical ties and cultural values shared by many of the parts of Russian Federation and Pakistan would give impetus to drawing the two countries closer. A number of ways of cooperating subsequent to signing of MOU were discussed; these include setting up of business facilitation centers in Karachi and St Petersburg, to enhance engagement between businessmen in both countries. A greater role for culture and tourism departments was planned and it is expected that people between both the countries would work together and travel more places in both countries for business and pleasure.
The role of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who marked the beginning of friendship between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and former Soviet Union was remembered.
The establishment of Pakistan Steel and other similar projects, aimed at industrialization in the country were said to be strong pillars of relationship developed some 40 years ago.
Authorities observed that cordiality based on mutual respect and cooperation was all the more needed between the two countries.
