ISLAMABAD – Russia has expressed willingness to expand cooperation withPakistan in different sectors including the industrial, agricultural,energy, medicine and railways.
These positive sentiments were expressed by Russian Trade Minister DenisValentinovich during the sixth meeting of Pakistan-Russia intergovernmentalCommission at the foreign office in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Later addressing a joint news conference along with Hammad Azhar, TheRussian Trade Minister said Pakistan Steel Mills was established with thecooperation of Russian experts. He said we will extend cooperation toPakistan to revive the Steel Mills and enhance its productivity.
He expressed interest in building geological capacity of Pakistan apartfrom building North South Gas Pipeline.
Denis Valentinovich said Russia wants to cooperate with Pakistan inaircraft manufacturing sector. He said there are immense opportunities forcooperation in the field of agriculture.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar saidPakistan desires to transform relations with Russia into a strategicpartnership.
He said there are tremendous opportunities to enhance cooperation in thefields of trade, business to business relations and people to peoplecontacts.
The Minister said Pakistan has been included in the list of top tencountries for Ease of Doing Business.
He said due to government’s prudent policies, Pakistan has reduced tradeand current account deficits and consequently, international organizationsare recognizing Pakistan’s economic stability.
Applauding the Russian offer to revive Pakistan Steel Mills, he said thereis huge scope of cooperation between the two countries in energy sector.
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He expressed the hope that work on North South Gas pipeline. He urged theRussian companies to invest in oil and gas sector of Pakistan.
Hammad Azhar said Pakistan also desires to enhance cooperation inestablishing economic zones. He said cooperation between Pakistan andRussia in the field of Science and Technology will be helpful fordevelopment of region.
Both sides resolved to increase volume of bilateral trade from the presentlevels to its true potential through greater cooperation and enhancedbusiness activities by the private sector of both the countries.
The Russian side invited Pakistan to organize a road show in Moscow toprovide an opportunity to the Russian private companies to explore newavenues in Pakistan.
Pakistani side on the other hand invited Russia for their presence in tradeexpos held in Pakistan.
The Russian side was apprised that Pakistan holds the bilateral andeconomic relations with the Russia in high esteem which is evident by therecent settlement of the long standing “Settlement of mutual FinancialClaims” between the two countries.
The 7th session of IGC will be held in Moscow on mutually agreed dates.
