Daily Times

Russia announced on Wednesday to expand cooperation with Pakistan in different sectors, including the industrial, agricultural, energy, medicine and railways.

Russian Trade Minister Denis Valentinovich Manturov was speaking at a press conference after the sixth meeting of Pakistan-Russia intergovernmental Commission at the foreign office in Islamabad.

Addressing joint news conference along with Hammad Azhar, the Russian Trade Minister said Pakistan Steel Mills was established with the cooperation of Russian experts.

He said “we will extend cooperation to Pakistan to revive the Steel Mills and enhance its productivity.” He expressed interest in building geological capacity of Pakistan apart from building North South Gas Pipeline.

Denis Valentinovich Manturov said Russia wants to cooperate with Pakistan in aircraft manufacturing sector. He said there are immense opportunities for cooperation in the field of agriculture.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar said Pakistan desires to transform relations with Russia into a strategic partnership. He said there are tremendous opportunities to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, business to business relations and people to people contacts.

The Minister said Pakistan has been included in the list of top ten countries for Ease of Doing Business. He said due to government’s prudent policies, Pakistan has reduced trade and current account deficits and consequently, international organizations are recognizing Pakistan’s economic stability.

Applauding the Russian offer to revive Pakistan Steel Mills, he said there is huge scope of cooperation between the two countries in energy sector. He expressed the hope that work on North South Gas pipeline. He urged the Russian companies to invest in oil and gas sector of Pakistan.

Hammad Azhar said Pakistan also desires to enhance cooperation in establishing economic zones. He said cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in the field of Science and Technology will be helpful for development of region.

Both sides resolved to increase volume of bilateral trade from the present levels to its true potential through greater cooperation and enhanced business activities by the private sector of both the countries. The Russian side invited Pakistan to organize a road show in Moscow to provide an opportunity to the Russian private companies to explore new avenues in Pakistan. Pakistani side on the other hand invited Russia for their presence in trade expos held in Pakistan.

The Russian side was apprised that Pakistan holds the bilateral and economic relations with the Russia in high esteem which is evident by the recent settlement of the long standing “Settlement of mutual Financial Claims” between the two countries. The 7th session of IGC will be held in Moscow on mutually agreed dates.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his resolve to open a new chapter in relations between Pakistan and Russia. He expressed this sentiment during a meeting with a Russian delegation led by Minister for Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Valentinovich Manturov.

Expressing satisfaction over the deepening ties between Islamabad and Moscow , the prime minister hoped that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Pakistan soon.

He noted that both the countries will enhance cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, aviation, railways, energy, oil and gas. On the occasion, the Russian delegation conveyed a best wishes message of Vladimir Putin to PM Imran. Adviser to the Prime Minister on economy and finance, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umer, Minister for Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Hammad Azhar and others were present in the meeting.