CPEC SEZs provide tremendous opportunities to enhance Pakistan-Russia bilateral trade and investment: Russian Consul General
Karachi: Consul General of Russian Federation in Karachi Andrey V. Fedorov has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) provided tremendous opportunities for enhancing Pakistan-Russia bilateral trade and investment.
Speaking to journalists here, the senior diplomat mentioned that CPEC was playing a positive role in progress of Pakistan.
He showed interest in investing in the SEZs under the CPEC which he predicted would boost the Pakistani economy in a big way.
He said Russia was willing to extend every possible support to Pakistani side to strengthen bilateral contacts and cooperation to the benefit of both countries.
“For increasing the bilateral volume, the two countries had to broaden the dimension of their economic cooperation. There was big untapped potential in almost every sphere of trade partnership. The bilateral trade was mainly confined to commodities although many other products and services were available to offer to each other,” said Consul General Andrey V. Fedorov.
He noted that Pakistan could export to Russia surgical instruments, leather and sports goods. “Pakistan has also huge potential in information technologies and pharmaceutical sectors. Pakistan is also interested to buy cancer medicine due to its high effectiveness and reasonable price,” he added.
He further said: “The Commercial Attaches of both the countries were also working hard to elevate bilateral trade and economic cooperation to new high level.”
Andrey V. Fedorov remarked that Russia was ready to provide all necessary assistance to execute Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline project from Karachi to Lahore.
The Russian diplomat mentioned that his government was closely monitoring the developments around Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
“We are waiting for completion of international tender auction and ready to share necessary information with Russian companies to prepare their offers for participation in the revival and modernization of PSM,” he informed.
The Consul General underlined that Pakistan and Russia could receive another boost as last week Pakistan’s Finance Minister Miftah Ismail had expressed Pakistan government’s interest to buy Russian oil.
“Russia is open for cooperation with any political party as long as the relations are mutually beneficial and constructive,” he reaffirmed.
He said Russia was interested in developing relations with entire world including Pakistan. “Russia considers Pakistan as a friendly country and when friendly countries have a discussion at negotiation table they agree on everything,” the senior diplomat underscored.
