LAHORE, MAR 18, (DNA) – Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif held a meeting with President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov in Lahore on Saturday.

They discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations and promotion of cooperation in different sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister hoped that the visit of the distinguished guest will promote bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visited Tatarstan in 1999 when Rustam Minnikhanov was Prime Minister.

The President of Tatarstan called for promoting active collaboration between the two countries in various fields.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has assured to provide full protection to investors of Tatarstan saying they will also own hundred percent of their investment.

Addressing Punjab-Tatarstan Business Forum in Lahore on Saturday, he said Punjab government wants to promote economic cooperation with Tatarstan.

He said there are vast potential for promotion of tourism in Pakistan, especially in Punjab and we would like to benefit from the expertise of Tatarstan in this regard.

The Chief Minister said Punjab has very strong infrastructure which can support all the investment activities and joint ventures.

He said the landmark China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project can create a linkage between Pakistan and Tatarstan.

Shahbaz Sharif said thirty six billion dollars are being spent on energy projects under the CPEC, that will end load-shedding from country by the end of current year or early next year.