February 01, 2008	Friday	Muharram 22, 1429

LAHORE, Jan 31: Talks are underway for construction of powerhouses in Pakistan to resolve the prevailing energy crisis, says Russian Ambassador Sergey Preskoy.

Talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Muhammad Ali Mian here on Thursday, Mr Preskoy said Russia was ready to offer all possible help to Pakistan for the construction of new powerhouses.

Agreeing to a proposal to establish the Pak-Russia business council, the envoy said Pakistani entrepreneurs should explore the untapped Russian market, which had a lot of potential for the businessmen. He said quality Pakistani products would get a right place in the Russian market.

Mr Preskoy said Pakistani and Russian businessmen could enter into joint ventures to increase the volume of bilateral trade. He said Russia was rich in natural resources with business-friendly policies. He said his country had a lot to offer to Pakistan businessmen in terms of technology and industry.

The Russian envoy and the LCCI president agreed to ink a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Pak-Russia business council and holding single country exhibitions.

They said there was a little chance of headway in bilateral trade relations without taking new initiatives.

The LCCI president said the chamber, in collaboration with the Russian embassy, would start language courses on its premises to help Pakistani businessmen understand their Russian counterparts in a better way.