Consul General of Russian Federation, Andrey V. Demidov said good prospects for Pak-Russia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) do exist and Russian Mission can prepare a feasibility study on PTA as deliberations are required on certain legalities. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday, he informed that visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pakistan was postponed.
Upon visit of President Putin various MoUs and co-operation documents will be signed between the two countries. He endorsed that Pakistan Steel Mills is a good example of past co-operation between the two countries; similar co-operation can be extended in many areas, particularly in energy as Russia is number one in energy sector.
He said good prospects for Pak-Russia Preferential Trade Agreement do exist and Russian Mission can prepare feasibility study on PTA as deliberations are required on certain legalities. He informed about the huge demand of textiles and leather garments in Russia. Pakistan can also export potato, rice, vegetables and fruits. Russia is manufacturing helicopters and commercial jets which can be provided to Pakistan. Pakistani natural pharmaceutical products have immense demand in Russia, he told.
He said that multilateral co-operation in several areas between Pakistan, Russia and Central Asian Republics is also workable. He stated that unavailability of direct shipping-lines, airlines and banking channels are major obstacles impeding bilateral trade.
He was of the view that to execute transit trade from Gawader port, adequate infrastructure, railways, highways and bridges are essential. Co-operation in education is continued and Pakistani students can also avail Russian scholarship programmes. He said that in early '90s PIA operated to Moscow and restoration of such direct air-connectivity is important. In the past PIA also used to stopover at Moscow, while going to UK. He was of the view that to execute transit trade from Gawader port, adequate infrastructure, railways, highways and bridges are essential.
KCCI President Muhammad Haroon Agar has asserted upon the dire need of Pak-Russian inter-governmental arrangements to develop direct Shipping and Air-links and establish banking channels to multiply bilateral trade. He was of the view that during the last 64 years Pakistan's economic relations have largely remained American and West oriented; also aid was the main focus of Pakistan instead easing market access, transfer of technology and investment. Recalling Pak-Russian co-operation in the past, Haroon Agar emphasised to replicate co-operation on the lines of Pakistan Steel Mills in the areas of heavy machinery, engineering, automobiles, revamping railways, energy from coal, corporate farming, mining, health, education and other areas of national interest.
He also voiced to expedite arrangements of Preferential Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Russian Federation. He apprised about the vital role of KCCI in the socio-economic development of Pakistan and to promote trade and industry in Karachi and elsewhere. Exchanging views he said Pakistan could seek the Russian help to integrate and boost its energy and engineering sector with technologies' transfer. It could be foreseen in the new developments that there could be a big share for the Russian Federation in the mining and manufacturing of coal-based power generation, particularly in Thar Coal. Russia is the third largest Textiles importing country of the world after USA and EU and Pakistan is the third largest textile exporting country; therefore, great potential exist for Pakistani Textiles Industry and its products to be exported to Russia. With the multilateral co-operation of Central Asian Republics, Russian trade can be facilitated from the ports of Pakistan to other countries of the globe. KCCI is considering compose a high-level business delegation to Russia, he maintained.
Former President KCCI Majyd Aziz is of the view that visit of Russian President Putin to Pakistan will open new chapters of bilateral relations. He said that Pakistan Steel Mills is going through its inefficient phase and need a revamp with the co-operation of Russia. He highlighted that to cater national transportation requirement particularly for cargo movement, Pakistan should also benefit from Russian automobiles particularly, trucks and heavy vehicles used in logistics. Paradigm shift is required from trade of commodities to machinery and equipment. He said that Russian investors can invest in Special Economic Zones and construct their own enclaves as President of Pakistan has signed Special Economic Zones Bill. Pakistan should avail the Russian expertise for producing energy from coal, he stated.-PR
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