ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports to Russia increased by 10 percent in June, 2017 as compared to May 2017, whichshowed positive sign for enhancing the trade ties between the two countries.Pakistan and Russia have agreed to sign Free Trade Agreementfor increasing bilateral trade and improving long term economicties, said senior official of Ministry of commerce here on Thursday.“Russian President Vladimir Putin during his meeting with thenPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of Shanghai CooperationOrganization (SCO) offered the agreement, which Pakistan accepted,”he added.He said the trade turnover between Russia and Pakistan hasslightly increased and both of the countries have huge potential foreconomic cooperation in future, he said.He said that Pakistan is exploring Russian markets to boostexports of food products to take advantage of the vacuum createdafter Moscow banned food imports from European countries.The official said that Pakistani citrus, rice, potatoes and mangoes are making their way into the Russian market.He said Pakistan had huge opportunity to export fresh meat and poultry, vegetables which include carrot,cabbage and beet-root, and fruits including dates, dry fruits, apple and plum in Russianmarket.The government is committed to support Pakistani exporters forgaining facilities to increase excess and competitiveness in the Russian markets.Both sides were also willing to sign Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) before the FTA to get excess to Russian market for enhancing trade facilities to the exporters.
Pakistan Russia ties strengthen as Pak exports to Moscow increased