Zardari to visit Russia to attend Int’l Economic Forum

President Asif Ali Zardari will pay a three-day official visit to Russia from June 20-22 to participate in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). President Zardari will join other world leaders in the Russian historic city of St. Petersburg at the annual gathering of leading decision-makers from across the globe to identify key economic challenges and engage in finding solutions. With this year’s theme ‘Effective Leadership’, the President will highlight the issues affecting the global economy and the increasing role of emerging economic powers in shaping regional and global agendas. Sources said President Zardari will also take part in the panel discussion titled ‘Leadership that works’ and will stress to minimize the global financial crisis and find ways to strengthen energy security, regulate financial markets, and introducing large-scale reforms. He will also present Pakistan’s point of view on the global economic model for the twenty-first century that can withstand geopolitical challenges and meet the interests of all countries. The President during his stay will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin besides meeting several other world leaders and dignitaries on the sidelines of the Forum. He will also interact with the presidents and CEOs of the leading international business companies to seek investment in Pakistan, particularly in energy sector. The SPIEF will debate important topics including global energy outlook, the Eurasian economic integration, international global energy award, banking in the 21st century and investment in human capital.