Economic ties: Bilateral trade far below potential, says Dedov

PM Sharif likely to meet Putin this year to remove trade hurdles

FAISALABAD: Trade between Pakistan and Russia is far below the potential and efforts should be made by both sides to enhance the level of commerce, said Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Y Dedov.

Speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by the businessmen, he revealed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tashkent this year to remove bottlenecks impeding the expansion of trade.

“Business communities of both the countries have to play their due role in boosting trade. The Russian government is making conscious efforts to promote social, cultural and people-to-people contacts, which will provide a strong platform for enhancing and strengthening the trade ties,” he said.

“We have evolved a new strategy to support Pakistani businessmen and help them start business in Russia, from where they can export their products to the Central Asian states.”

Chenab Group of Industries Chairman Mian Mohammad Latif, who was present on the occasion, told the audience about the Russian products that were freely available in Pakistan.

However, he said the Russian government should now facilitate Pakistani exporters in gaining direct access to its markets.

Head of Trade Representatives in the Russian Embassy Yuri Kozlov and First Secretary Anton Chernov were also present in the meeting. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2016.

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