Pakistan, Russia Mull Cooperation in IT, Telecom
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to enhance cooperation and start joint ventures in the field of information technology and telecommunication.
Sep 11, 2006
The two sides also announced to exchange visits of trade and investment delegations and set up focal groups to further explore possibilities for collaboration in the areas of information technology, business process outsourcing, telecommunication, and space technology.
The agreement was reached Wednesday during a high level meeting between Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and a six-member Russian trade delegation led by Ms Elena Danilova, director Russian Ministry for Economic Development & Trade, currently visiting Pakistan to explore business opportunities. IT secretary Farrakh Qayyum, member Nooruddin Baqai and other officials were also present.
Awais Leghari said Pakistan considered Russia a country with huge potential to participate in the growth of IT and telecom sector in Pakistan. He said the two countries could also forge stronger business ties in the field of space science which Pakistan was seeking to develop with the help of reliable technology and expertise such as that possessed by Russia.
"We do not want to become mere purchasers, but strategic partners and transfer of technology and skills should form the core of any business relationship," he added.
Ms Elena Danilova said her country viewed Pakistan as an emerging economic centre and the growth of telecom and IT sector in Pakistan had impelled many Russian companies to look at possibilities of coming to Pakistan in a big way. She said her country was ready to facilitate exchange of traders and investors to discuss and earmark areas in which the countries could forge joint ventures.
The agreement was reached Wednesday during a high level meeting between Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and a six-member Russian trade delegation led by Ms Elena Danilova, director Russian Ministry for Economic Development & Trade, currently visiting Pakistan to explore business opportunities. IT secretary Farrakh Qayyum, member Nooruddin Baqai and other officials were also present.
Awais Leghari said Pakistan considered Russia a country with huge potential to participate in the growth of IT and telecom sector in Pakistan. He said the two countries could also forge stronger business ties in the field of space science which Pakistan was seeking to develop with the help of reliable technology and expertise such as that possessed by Russia.
"We do not want to become mere purchasers, but strategic partners and transfer of technology and skills should form the core of any business relationship," he added.
Ms Elena Danilova said her country viewed Pakistan as an emerging economic centre and the growth of telecom and IT sector in Pakistan had impelled many Russian companies to look at possibilities of coming to Pakistan in a big way. She said her country was ready to facilitate exchange of traders and investors to discuss and earmark areas in which the countries could forge joint ventures.