Pakistan will supply the first commercial batch of mangoes to Russia in 2021. Pakistan's ambassador to Russia, Shafqat Ali Khan, said this on Monday at a webinar organized by the Russian Council on Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani Strategic Vision Institute.
"I am happy to report that this year we will see the first shipment of Pakistani mangoes to Russia on a commercial scale," he said.
The diplomat noted that last year, trade turnover between Moscow and Islamabad reached an all-time high of $730 million. "At the same time, both sides recognize that this figure does not yet reflect the full potential of our relations. Economy ministries are working to further develop our trade, we are trying to open up new sectors," he added.
Intergovernmental commission meeting with Russia
Pakistan expects the next meeting of the Pakistan-Russia intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation to be held in 2021, the Pakistani ambassador to Russia said.
He noted that the pandemic prevented the intergovernmental commission from meeting last year in Moscow. "We hope that the meeting of the commission will be held this year. Various ideas for the development of Russian-Pakistani economic cooperation will be discussed," the Ambassador said.
According to him, Pakistani authorities are also considering organizing an economic conference between Moscow and Islamabad this year or next year.
In addition, the diplomat expressed hope that Pakistan's gas pipeline project, which has changed its name from North-South to Pakistan Stream, will become the flagship of economic relations between the two countries. "We also note Russia's interest in the steel industry and the improvement of Pakistan's railroads," he added.
The last meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between Russia and Pakistan was held in December 2019.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS