Moscow willing to expand cooperation with Islamabad: Russian minister

Russia on Wednesday said it is willing to expand cooperation with Pakistan on multiple fronts, including the industrial sector, agriculture, energy, medicine and railways, Radio Pakistan reported.

The remarks were made by Russian Trade Minister Denis Valentinovich Manturov during the sixth meeting of Pakistan-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific Technical Cooperation at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

Later, while addressing a joint news conference along with Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, Manturov recalled that Pakistan Steel Mills was established with the cooperation of Russian experts. 

He said that Russia is willing to help Pakistan again in order to revive the steel mills and improve its productivity.

The Russian minister also expressed interest in "building geological capacity of Pakistan apart from building North South Gas Pipeline". 

Furthermore, he said that Moscow wants to cooperate with Islamabad in aircraft manufacturing sector.

Azhar, the minister for economic affairs, said that Pakistan desires to transform its relations with Russia into a strategic partnership. 

He said that there are tremendous opportunities to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, business to business relations and people-to-people contacts.

In their meeting, both the countries resolved to increase bilateral trade and bring it to its “true potential through greater cooperation and enhanced business activities”.

The Russian delegation also invited Pakistan to organise a road show in Moscow which will provide an opportunity to Russian companies to explore new avenues of investment in Pakistan. 

Meanwhile, the Pakistani delegation extended an invitation to Russia to participate in trade expos held in Pakistan.

The 7th session of intergovernmental Commission will be held in Moscow on mutually agreed dates.