LCCI President Calls for Enhanced Economic Engagement with RussiaStrong people-to-people ties vital for Pakistan–Russia cooperation, says Gleb Shubin

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol has called for greater economic engagement between Pakistan and Russia, underscoring the need to deepen trade, investment, and institutional linkages to unlock the full potential of bilateral relations.
He was speaking during a visit by Gleb Shubin, Culture, Science and Education Attaché at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the visit, Saigol and Shubin jointly inaugurated a Russian Language Course at the LCCI, aimed at strengthening people-to-people contacts and facilitating business cooperation.
Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Lahore Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Nizami, Executive Committee Member Mohsin Bashir, and other chamber members were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Gleb Shubin said that strong people-to-people connections form the backbone of sustainable bilateral relations. “Language is not merely a tool of communication; it is a gateway to understanding culture, building trust, and fostering cooperation in trade, investment, education, and diplomacy,” he said.
LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol described Russia as a major global economy and an increasingly important trade destination for Pakistan. He noted that although bilateral trade has shown improvement in recent years, it remains well below its actual potential.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic geographical position, Saigol said the country serves as a natural gateway to Central Asia, offering Russia access to warm waters and regional markets, as well as cost-effective transit routes, logistics support, and enhanced connectivity linking Russia, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
He said Pakistani businesses could explore joint ventures with Russian firms in key sectors including energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and information technology. Emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding, he added that learning the Russian language would enable Pakistani entrepreneurs to better navigate Russian markets, regulations, and business practices, thereby facilitating smoother trade and investment ties.
Saigol further said that the Lahore Chamber is actively working to diversify Pakistan’s export markets in line with national economic priorities. Initiatives such as language training programs, trade delegations, and institutional partnerships, he noted, are essential to boosting exports and reducing the trade deficit.
In his remarks, Gleb Shubin described the launch of the Russian language course as a concrete step towards enhancing people-to-people interaction, which he said would ultimately translate into stronger cooperation across trade, investment, education, and other sectors. He reiterated that Russia holds a positive and forward-looking stance towards Pakistan and is keen to strengthen relations in all spheres.
“In today’s globalized world, cultural and educational cooperation is as important as economic partnerships. Lasting relationships are built on mutual understanding and respect,” Shubin said, adding that enhanced dialogue between business communities and increased cultural exchanges could unlock untapped opportunities for joint ventures, industrial cooperation, and sustainable growth.
He also informed participants that the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Pakistan is expected to visit the Lahore Chamber in the near future to further deepen engagement with Pakistan’s business community, stressing that close collaboration between the Russian Embassy and the LCCI is crucial for expanding bilateral economic and cultural relations