ISLAMABAD – Mr. Vladirmir Berezyuk, Acting Ambassador of the RussianFederation Regarding the participation of Russian Federation in “Belt &Road” initiative, he said the Russia was eagerly waiting for a formalinvitation from China and Pakistan to invest in CPEC related projects.
Addressing the members of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI)here on Monday, he mentioned Russian cooperation in the development of Pakeconomy and said, “Karachi Steel Mills and Gudhu Power Plant are examplesof our mutual and highly productive cooperation.”He said that recently Pakistan and Russia have inked an agreement to lay aland mark Karachi-Lahore pipelines which is expected to resolve multipleenergy related problems of Pakistan.
He said that this year Pakistan and a consortium of Russian Federation haveinked an agreement to establish an oil refinery at Kohat. “It will havecapacity to refine hundred thousand barrel of oil per day,” he said andadded that yet another agreement would also be signed to promote bankingchannels between the two countries.
He told that a delegation of Russian businessmen will also visit Pakistanwhich will open new avenues of direct cooperation between the businessmenof two countries.Expressing satisfaction over the promotion of bilateral trade between thetwo countries, Mr. Vladirmir Berezyuk said that it is growing at a muchfaster pace, adding that during 2015-17 Russian exports recorded anincrease of 96 percent while a phenomenal growth of 209 percent wasrecorded in Pakistani exports to Russian Federation.
However, he stressed the need to diversify the trade to fully capitalizepotentialities available in the two countries.He also identified railways, communication, construction, refinery andother major sectors in which two countries could further expand theircollaboration in the coming years. However, he said that after concertedefforts by the two governments, the businessmen of Pakistan and Russiashould also play a proactive role to strengthen their mutual relations.
About cooperation in education sector, he said that Moscow is ready to senda delegation to Pakistan to explore opportunities for bilateral exchange ofstudents and faculty members of leading universities of the two countries.
He also welcomed a proposal of FCCI to send a trade delegation and assuredfull cooperation in this regard. He also appreciated a proposal to declareFaisalabad twin city with leading textile cities of Russian Federation.Earlier in his welcome address, Acting President FCCI Farooq Yusuf saidthat Pakistan and Russian Federation are enjoying good economic anddiplomatic ties since 1948.
He said that the trade volume between the two countries in 2016 was 402.78Million Dollars. However, Pakistan exported goods worth 144.71 milliondollars as against the imports of 258.01 million dollars from the RussianFederation. Thus the balance of trade is in favor of Russia, he added.
On the occasion, FCCI shield was presented to Vladirmir Berezyuk, ActingAmbassador of Russian Federation whereas Russian Ambassador alsoreciprocated and presented a gift to FCCI acting President Farooq Yusufwhile Mirza Tauseef Ahmad presented FCCI shield to Mr Vadim Zaetcov, visaofficer of the Russian Federation.Later, Russian Ambassador also visited Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers &Exporters Association (PHMA) complex and had a meeting with hosieryindustrialists.
He discussed matters of mutual interest and assured full cooperation forincreasing bilateral trade between the two countries. – APP