What will change for PAKISTAN?
The countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, of which Pakistan is a member, have markedly increased their interaction with Russia. Total trade turnover has increased by 30 per cent over the past year. The rapprochement of the sides will continue at the XVI International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, which will be held from 13 to 18 May in the Russian Federation. An important issue for the participants will be the interaction between Russia and Pakistan.
Pakistan and Russia have many points of contact and grounds for developing co-operation. An important area is trade. Over the past 5 years, trade turnover between the countries has increased 1.5 times. This was helped by the opening of the St Petersburg-Karachi sea line. Russia actively exports food and agricultural products. Exports of mineral fertilisers are expected to grow and grain supplies are expected to resume. All this will enhance Pakistan’s food security.
The countries also interact within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). There are mutual interests here: strengthening industrial cooperation, creating independent financial institutions and payment and settlement mechanisms, expanding transport and logistics capabilities and regional interconnectivity.
To develop international logistics (including the North-South ITC), the modernisation of the railway section of the Quetta-Taftan route and the expansion
of maritime freight traffic are under consideration.
Educational and cultural ties are developing. Last year there were 11 per cent more budget quotas for Pakistani students in Russian higher education institutions. The most popular areas of training are medical treatment, construction, mechanical engineering and economics.
The XVI International Economic Forum Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2025 will show how joint projects can develop further. It will be held in Kazan (Russian Federation, Republic of Tatarstan) from 13 to 18 May. Now it is the main platform for business interaction between Russia and the countries of the Global South – Islamic World.
The previous KazanForum 2024 gathered more than 20 thousand participants, including 11978 business programme participants from 87 countries, including 57 OIC states. More than 40 diplomatic missions from Europe, Asia and Africa were represented. About 180 events were held within the framework of the forum, which resulted in the conclusion of 120 agreements. Traditionally, the participants of KazanForum are leading experts from the countries of the Islamic world: representatives of international organisations, national diplomatic missions, Islamic clergy, public authorities, financial institutions, large international business, members of parliaments, investors, entrepreneurs, heads of media corporations and mass media.
The aim of the forum is to strengthen trade and economic, scientific and technical, educational, social and cultural ties between the Russian Federation and the OIC countries.
The KazanForum 2025 programme includes more than 100 sessions and events on the following topics: international cooperation, business, Islamic finance and Halal industry, transport and logistics, science and technology, IT, industry, construction, medicine, education, tourism, culture, media industry and others.
One of the main events of KazanForum 2025 will be the first ever congress of OIC Ministers of Culture in the history of Russia. The event will take place in the city of Kazan, which has been appointed the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026, a decision made in Jeddah in February 2025 by the Culture Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries.
No less important event of the KazanForum 2025 business programme will be the annual international conference AAOIFI** on the theme: “Islamic Finance and Investment: Promoting Sustainable Development and Global Partnership”, which will also be held in Russia for the first time.
Also in the KazanForum 2025 programme: a meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the participating countries and the Agreement on the North-South International Transport Corridor, the Conference on the Development of Transport Logistics Potential of the Participating Countries, the second international real estate exhibition International Property Market 2025, the International Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Russia Halal Expo, the Islamic Fashion Festival “Modest Fashion Day”, the International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries, as well as separate special events and sessions for the media.
“The business programme of the forum invariably focuses on business, investment and trade and economic relations between the regions of the Russian Federation and the countries of the Islamic world. The forum has established itself as an effective platform for signing agreements, establishing real contacts that contribute to the implementation of joint projects, opening new production facilities and scientific and technical exchange in various fields. Such cooperation is mutually beneficial and fully corresponds to the motto of the Forum “Trust and Cooperation”, — said Talia Minullina, Secretary of the Republican Organising Committee for the preparation and holding of the annual International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, Head of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan.
