CM, Russian Sberbank discuss investment in education

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with a delegation from Russian Sberbank, led by its international head, Timur Kozintsev, to explore investment opportunities in education, health, and technology.

During the meeting, the chief minister nominated Investment Secretary Raja Khurram as the focal person to engage with Sberbank on potential collaborations with educational and health institutions under the provincial government.

Kozintsev was accompanied by Sberbank Deputy Trade Representative Nevzorrov Denis, Russian Consul General in Karachi Fedorov Andrey, and others.

Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon, Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Local Govt Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah, Investment Secretary Raja Khurram, and Transport Secretary Asad Zamin were present on the occasion.

Timur Kozintsev briefed the CM on Sberbank's diverse investments across business, healthcare, education, science, public administration, agriculture, and technology sectors globally, including operations in China, Southeast Asia, Iran, and other regions.

The chief minister highlighted investment opportunities in school education, proposing Sberbank's involvement in EduTech startups focusing on innovative education solutions in Sindh. He suggested potential collaborations with the Reform Support Unit (RSU) for financing platforms in online learning, digital textbooks, and educational management systems.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed potential partnerships with Sberbank in the education sector, such as offering student loans or financial products tailored for students studying in Russia through partnerships with private schools or universities in Sindh.

Regarding infrastructure development, CM Murad suggested Sberbank's involvement in CSR projects aimed at improving educational infrastructure in flood-affected areas of Sindh, including construction and renovation of schools.

The meeting agreed that Timur Kozintsev would nominate a team to meet with university heads from NED, Mehran University Jamshoro, and IBA Sukkur to discuss EduTech investments further.