Russia expresses willingness to cooperate with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Russia will help boost Pakistan's economy by cooperating in various fields including aircraft manufacturing, state media said Wednesday.

Visiting Russian Trade Minister Denis Valentinovich told reporters in the capital Islamabad that his country was looking forward for joint collaborations, Radio Pakistan reported.

"We will extend cooperation to Pakistan to revive the Steel Mills and enhance its productivity," the Russian minister said.

Pakistan Steel Mills, a mega industrial complex having the production capacity of over one million tons of steel and iron foundries, was built with contribution of the Soviet Union in 1973.

He said that his country also wants to cooperate with Pakistan in the aircraft manufacturing sector.

Pakistan's Economy Minister Hammad Azhar also addressing reporters welcomed the offer, stating there is huge scope of cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

"There are tremendous opportunities to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, business to business relations and people to people contacts," Azhar said.

He added that his country desires to transform relations with Russia into a strategic partnership.

Earlier during a delegation level meeting in the Foreign Ministry, both countries agreed to increase volume of bilateral trade from the present levels to its true potential through greater cooperation and enhanced business activities by the private sector of both the countries.

The Russian side invited Pakistan to organize a road show in Moscow to provide an opportunity to the Russian private companies to explore new avenues in Pakistan.

Pakistan on the other hand urged Russia to attend trade fairs in the country.

A Russian business delegation is also present in Pakistan holding meetings with Pakistani business people to explore opportunities.