‘Pakistan can overcome economic crisis with Moscow’s help’

Russian Consul General for political and economic affairs Dmitri Petrov has said that Pakistan can overcome its economic crisis with the help of Russia by enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries.

He made these remarks while addressing a meeting during his visit to Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in Karachi.

Petrov said that there are immense opportunities to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia, adding that issues such as hurdles in banking transactions are being resolved for the promotion of trade ties.

The consul general highlighted that pharmaceutical products and medicines of high quality and international standard were being produced in Pakistan at very low rates while the same products were very expensive in Russia.

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He said bilateral trade was possible between the two countries in local currency and added that barter trade can also be promoted.

The Russian official said an agreement has been signed for the supply of gas and petrol to Pakistan and the implementation on agreement would start soon.

The first oil cargo from Russia is expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of April after the latter agreed to the former’s demand to import a single cargo first as a test case to bridge “trust deficit”.

Moscow has already offered to export 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Islamabad.

Following Saudi Arabia that also exports around 100,000 barrels of oil per day, Russia will emerge as the second largest crude oil supplier to Pakistan if the both the countries sign a deal.

Sources told The Express Tribune that Russia had raised doubt “over the seriousness of Pakistan to mature the oil deal”. Therefore, in a recent meeting held between the two countries, Moscow had asked Islamabad to import “one oil cargo” as a test case.