SIALKOT, Jan 28: A significant diplomatic event took place at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Wednesday, organized in collaboration with Regional Rapport, Islamabad. The chamber was honored to host the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Pakistan, Albert P Khorev, who was accompanied by Trade Representative Denis Nevzorov, Chief of Protocol Sergey Chekalin, Third Secretary (Bilateral Section) Anton Vereshchagin, and Executive Director of Regional Rapport, Dr. Almas Haider Naqvi.
The visit emphasized the strengthening of economic ties between Pakistan and Russia, featuring detailed discussions focused on trade facilitation, industrial collaboration, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation between Russian partners and the globally competitive export sectors of Sialkot.
At a pivotal meeting held at the SCCI Auditorium, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev expressed Russia’s intention to enhance mutual trade ties with Pakistan. He emphasized sincere efforts to remove hindrances, thereby promoting and strengthening bilateral trade.
Ambassador Khorev highlighted the potential for Sialkot exporters to access international markets in Russia by exporting their world-class traditional and non-traditional products. He noted a significant increase in trade volume between Pakistan and Russia over the past 10 to 15 years, and projected that the trade volume could potentially double if barriers are removed.
He mentioned the 10th Session of the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation that was held in Islamabad in November 2025, where several agreements and MoUs were signed along with a comprehensive cultural agenda.
The ambassador announced that the Pakistan-Russia trade volume had exceeded $1 billion in 2023 and mentioned plans for a Russian business delegation to visit Pakistan, which is expected to pave new ways for direct cooperation between the two countries’ business communities.
He suggested Pakistani businesses explore joint ventures with Russian counterparts in sectors such as energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and information technology. He also emphasized that strong people-to-people connections form the backbone of enduring bilateral relations and that understanding the Russian language would enhance entrepreneurs’ understanding of Russian markets, regulations, and business culture.
The ambassador encouraged universities in Sialkot to join ongoing Russian language programs, similar to those implemented in Punjab University and universities in Okara, Faisalabad, and Peshawar.
Earlier, Ambassador Khorev visited several leading industrial units in Sialkot under tight security, where he admired the international standard craftsmanship exhibited by Sialkot artisans. He praised the unique export culture and socio-economic development led by Sialkot exporters, achieved largely through self-help initiatives.
The meeting was attended by President of SCCI Syed Ahtesham Mazhar, Senior Vice President SCCI Muhammad Murad Arshad, Vice President SCCI Salman Sheikh, and other members of the Sialkot business community.
