Latest news with #AntonAlikhanov
Arab News
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Russia discuss steel mills revival, industrial cooperation at INNOPROM forum
ISLAMABAD: Russia and Pakistan discussed plans to modernize a major steel complex and expand industrial cooperation during a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the INNOPROM Annual Industrial Forum in Yekaterinburg, state media reported on Tuesday. The meeting between Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Industries and Production, and Russian Trade and Industry Minister Anton Alikhanov focused on reviving Pakistan's dormant steel industry and enhancing bilateral trade. INNOPROM is Russia's largest annual industrial trade fair, bringing together government delegations, business leaders and technology firms from over 30 countries to explore partnerships in manufacturing, engineering and high-tech industries. 'Both sides reviewed technical aspects of modernizing the Pakistan Steel Mills to establish a cutting-edge metallurgical facility,' Pakistan Television (PTV) reported. 'The discussions also explored ways to enhance trade ties and promote industrial collaboration between the two countries.' Earlier this month, Russian Consul-General Andrey B. Fedorov told Arab News Moscow expected to finalize an agreement with Islamabad this summer to construct a new steel mill in Karachi. The original Pakistan Steel Mills, once the country's flagship industrial complex, was built in the 1970s with Soviet assistance. While it symbolized national self-sufficiency, the mill has been non-operational since 2015 due to years of financial mismanagement, political interference and mounting losses. Technical experts from Russia have already inspected the proposed site for the new facility, and another delegation is expected soon to draft a detailed roadmap. Russia has a long history of industrial cooperation with Pakistan, having previously built key infrastructure projects such as the Guddu Power Station in Sindh in the 1980s, one of the country's major electricity producers. Moscow and Islamabad have expanded cooperation in recent years despite global tensions over the war in Ukraine.
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia, Russia Seek to Deepen Economic and Industrial Ties
Saudi Arabia and Russia have stepped up efforts to strengthen their economic and industrial partnerships, as Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef led a high-level Saudi delegation to the INNOPROM 2025 International Industrial Exhibition in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Opening the Saudi pavilion - where the Kingdom is participating as the exhibition's partner country - Al-Khorayef underscored more than a century of strategic relations and robust economic ties that, he said, form the basis for expanding trade, investment, and cooperation in key sectors including mining, manufacturing, and technology. The Saudi delegation includes officials from 18 government entities and 20 leading companies spanning industrial services, automation, machinery, metals, energy, and advanced manufacturing. The pavilion is showcasing the Kingdom's competitive advantages as an investment hub, along with opportunities identified in Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy. Promotional events highlighted financial incentives, including funding solutions from the Saudi Industrial Development Fund and the Saudi EXIM Bank, as well as Saudi Arabia's rapidly developing infrastructure, industrial cities, special economic zones, and specialized complexes aimed at supporting investors. During the exhibition, Al-Khorayef and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov met to discuss ways to deepen cooperation. Both ministers stressed the importance of enabling the private sector to seize emerging investment opportunities, and pledged to support joint initiatives that drive industrial development in both countries. The Saudi minister noted Riyadh's strong interest in Russian expertise across priority sectors such as heavy equipment, agricultural machinery, chemicals, automotive, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Talks also focused on forging investment partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer, industrial innovation, and technology localization. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to boosting non-oil exports and simplifying market access, aiming to diversify their economies and enhance trade flows. Saudi Arabia's participation in the exhibition, officials said, reflects its strategy to build international partnerships that reinforce its standing as a trusted global economic partner. Recent years have seen steady growth in Saudi-Russian economic ties. Non-oil trade rose from $491 million in 2016 to $3.28 billion in 2024, driven by expanding cooperation in mining, petrochemicals, and advanced industries. The Kingdom hopes to attract high-value Russian investments, strengthen industrial supply chains, and further develop local capabilities as part of its push for economic diversification and sustainable growth.
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Russia discuss steel mill revival
Listen to article Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Tuesday held a meeting with Minister of Trade and Industry of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov on the sidelines of Innoprom, an annual industrial forum in Yekaterinburg. They reviewed technical modalities of refurbishing steel mills to enable Pakistan to develop a state-of-the-art metallurgical facility. They also discussed ways to boost industrial cooperation and trade promotion. Pakistan's delegation apprised the Russian side of the numerous initiatives being undertaken in the industrial sector, including the new industrial policy of the government that provides an investment-friendly environment. The PM aide invited Russian companies to explore opportunities of joint ventures in the areas of locomotives, electric buses, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals and agricultural machinery. A high-level Pakistani delegation was on an official visit to Yekaterinburg, Russia to participate in the Innoprom industrial forum.
Russia Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Russian MPs back complete ban on vapes
Russian lawmakers are ready to support a blanket ban on vape sales, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has said. He pointed to the obvious health risks associated with vaping, stressing that only strict measures could shield minors from 'liquid poison.' On Monday, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov called for prohibiting the sales of vapes, arguing that the current age limits 'do not always work effectively.' He added that the issue concerns him directly as a father of several children and noted that he is well aware that vape sellers target minors. The next day, Volodin voiced support for the initiative and signaled that the parliament 'expects a corresponding legislative initiative from the government,' adding that lawmakers 'will support it, and will consider the bill as a priority.' The speaker noted that the health dangers of vaping are beyond doubt. 'Vape liquids contain heavy metals, and toxic compounds,' he said, recalling that the earlier legislation banning vape sales to minors did not yield the desired result. 'Even under threat of penalties, dishonest sellers continue to offer this liquid poison to teenagers. Only a complete ban and removal of vapes from store shelves will help protect children from their harmful effects,' he said. In April 2023, Russia passed a law prohibiting the sale of vapes to minors, including nicotine-free products. Penalties include heavy fines or correctional work. In 2024, the excise tax on nicotine liquids was doubled, a move the Finance Ministry described as 'prohibitive.' According to a SuperJob poll in 2023, the share of Russian smokers using vapes has nearly tripled in recent years. The survey suggested that 21% of smokers now use only electronic vaporizers, and another 16% use both vapes and traditional cigarettes. In 2019, those figures stood at just 8% and 12%, respectively. The same year, RIA Novosti reported that between 3.5 and 4 million Russians use electronic nicotine delivery systems. Critics of the harsh measures, however, have warned that a full ban could backfire by driving users to the black market. In addition, the Russian Finance Ministry projected a potential revenue loss of 15 billion rubles ($189 million) annually if vapes are banned outright. To offset the loss, the Health Ministry proposed raising the excise tax on traditional cigarettes.
Egypt Independent
17-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt set to host Sun City, Russia's unprecedented industrial hub
Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan al-Khatib, and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, witnessed the signing of the usufruct contract for the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The establishment of the Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt marks a unique undertaking, being Russia's first such venture in an Arab nation since the Soviet Union's dissolution. The area represents a point of significant mutual interest for both Egypt and Russia. Russia's leadership has been significantly influenced by the prospect of having a physical presence in new markets. It anticipates achieving the primary goal of its foreign economic strategy, which is to increase the share of non-primary exports in foreign trade. Egyptian-Russian negotiations on establishing the Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt began after the meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sochi in 2014. Actual negotiations on establishing the zone commenced in August 2017. The 'pivotal project for Russian-Egyptian cooperation' offers residency in offices east of Port Said or branches of automotive, petrochemical, energy, pharmaceutical, and heavy construction materials companies. The special economic zone in Egypt is considered a launching pad for the expansion of Russian companies' business in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa. Egyptians view the Russian Industrial Zone as a pioneering project within the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Investments in the Russian Industrial Zone will amount to $4.6 billion. Named 'Sun City', it will be built on an area of 2,000 hectares. The city is located on the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, near the Suez Canal, through which 20 percent of global trade passes. The spirit of Russia will be infused into this industrial city, as it will be built in a semi-circular shape and will consist of two sections: an eastern section named 'Moscow' and a western section named 'Saint Petersburg.' The land between the two sections will be named 'the Urals,' named after a mountain range located in the central region of Russia. There will also be a triangular-shaped entertainment area and park for the residents of this city to spend their leisure time.
