ISLAMABAD:19 Sep 2024 – Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Alexei Overchuk called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today.
The Prime Minister also witnessed signing of a MoU between Russia and Pakistan, which signifies the shared understanding and desire of the two countries to further strengthen mutually advantageous cooperation in all areas of shared interest, especially trade, investment, energy, IT, agriculture, science & technology and education.
Earlier on 18 Sep , Pakistan and Russia signed an MOU of bilateral cooperation in the domain of economy and trade at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad and witnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk.
The MoU between Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) and Saint Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX) was signed by Acting Managing Director PMEX Farhan Tahir from the Pakistan side and by President SPIMEX Igor Artemyev from the Russian side.
Pakistan also announced its accession to the MoU on Creation and Development of International Transport Corridor Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan. The instrument of accession was signed by Secretary Ministry of Communication, Ali Sher Mahsud from the Pakistan side.
On 19 Sep, The Prime Minister welcomed DPM Overchuk and his delegation to Islamabad and conveyed that Pakistan considers strengthening relations with Russia as an important priority of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan is keen to expand trade, economic, energy, connectivity and security cooperation with Russia and added that he looked forward to welcoming Russian PM Mr. Mishustin to Islamabad next month.
The Prime Minister recalled that he had a very fruitful discussion with President Vladimir Putin in July ealier this year and conveyed his thanks to President Putin for sending the high-level delegation to discuss expansion of bilateral cooperation.
DPM Overchuk thanked the PM for the warm welcome and reiterated Russia’s resolve to deepen relations with Pakistan. He characterized Pakistan-Russia relations as constructive and mutually beneficial. The two sides agreed to maintain regular contacts.
Pakistan, Russia for enhanced trade, economic cooperation, regional connectivity
Pakistan and Russia on Thursday reiterated their commitment to expanding trade and economic ties, besides enhancing regional connectivity to strengthen bilateral relations. In a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, who along with members of his delegation called on the president, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Both sides underscored the importance of fostering mutually beneficial cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, food security, business, education, railways, science and technology, besides promoting stronger people-to-people connections.
The President stressed the importance of exploring possibilities for barter trade, in addition to improving connectivity to strengthen economic relations between the two nations. He called for easing visa regulations and increasing connectivity through railways and direct flights to facilitate and enhance people-to-people and business-to-business contacts.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that there was great scope to increase bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector. It was emphasised that there was enormous potential to undertake joint ventures in the agricultural sector for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
It was also informed that a 75-member business delegation from Pakistan would visit Russia in October to explore avenues for business and economic cooperation.
DPM Alexei Overchuk said that Russia was looking forward to improving cooperation with Pakistan in food security, science and technology, education, connectivity and railways. He stated that the upcoming visit of the Russian Prime Minister to Pakistan, in October, would provide another opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations. He further said that Russia had tremendous respect for all religions and Muslim culture, and had condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan People’s Party CHairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Minister of Energy (Power and Petroleum Divisions) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister of Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Senator Sherry Rehman, and senior government officials were also present during the meeting.
New Steel Mill with Russian Cooperation
The government is considering a proposal to establish a new steel mill in Karachi with Russian cooperation and the both countries agreed to form working groups to negotiate the project’s details.In this regard, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Russian Federation Alexey Gruzdev met with Minister for Industries, Production and National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, said a news release here on 18 Sep.
The minister informed that the government has earmarked 700 acres land of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) for establishing a new Steel Mill. He said despite being blessed with considerable reserves of iron ore (estimated reserves of 1887 million tons), Pakistan is importing around $2.7 billion of iron and steel.
There is perpetual gap between domestic production and demand of iron and steel. For the last year, the gap is estimated at 3.1 million tons, he added.Pakistan’s per capita steel consumption level is below even those of developing countries indicating significant growth potential over medium and long term.He said efficiency of Pakistan’s steel industry is limited as it segmented (600 small units) and based on old inefficient technology.
The proposed site is located at Karachi and in closed to Port Qasim that reduces cost of transportation of raw materials. Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural experts are set to visit Russia, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
During the meeting, they emphasized on balance trade between both countries.
Rana Tanveer stressed the need for modern agricultural machinery to boost crop yields and enhance agricultural productivity.
Russian Deputy Minister, Alexey Gruzdev said that his country will provide modern agricultural machinery to Pakistan in order to boost crop yields and enhance agricultural productivity across the country.
The meeting was attended by deputy trade representative of the Russian Federation in Pakistan Denis Nevzorov, secretary for industries and production Saif Anjum, secretary national food security and research Ali Tahir, additional secretary national food security Amir Mohyudin, deputy chief industries and production Abdul Samad and Executive Engineer PSM Engr. Muhammad Shoaib.
Energy Sector Partnership
Russian delegation comprising Russian Deputy Minister for Energy and Deputy Minister for Economic Development held a meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik in Islamabad and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Speaking on the occasion, Musadik Malik said Pakistan values relations with Russia. He said Pak-Russia partnership in energy sector is important.
The Russian delegation was appreciative of the beauty of Islamabad.Both the sides affirmed to work together in the area of energy and for mutual development.
Industry & Food Security
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Federal Minister for Industries Production and National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain held a meeting with Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Mr. Sergey Levin at the Ministry of Commerce. The discussions focused on matters of mutual interest and enhancing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Cooperation in Education
The High level delegation from Russian Federation led by Mr. Andrey Korneev, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Education of Russian Federation, and Mr. Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russian Federation visited the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training today.
The delegation included the Consultant of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Associate Professor of Ural State Pedagogical University, and officials from the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan. Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Federal Secretary for Ministry of Education & Professional training, briefed the delegation and highlighted the achievements and challenges faced by Pakistan in the field of education.
The bilateral talks focused on enhancing educational cooperation between the two countries, building on the positive momentum of their relationship over the past two decades.During the discussions, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral educational cooperation and explored ways to enhance it.
They affirmed their commitment to promoting cultural and educational exchanges. The Pakistani side expressed a strong desire to increase collaboration between Pakistani and Russian universities, particularly in the fields of emerging technologies. The Russian Deputy Minister emphasized initiatives to promote the Russian language in Pakistan and enhance educational links.
Pakistan reiterates commitment to fostering traditional defence ties with Russia
An agreement was reached to open a Russian Facilitation Center in Islamabad to assist students seeking admissions to Russian educational institutes. The delegation also expressed their willingness to organize a Russian Educational Expo in Pakistan to strengthen cooperation in education and promote technology-based industrial linkages between the two countries.
In addition to the bilateral talks, the Russian delegation visited Islamabad College for Girls (ICG), Sector F-6/2, Islamabad. They appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in advancing pedagogical initiatives, with a special focus on girls’ education.
Both sides agreed to prepare plans for finalization at the forthcoming Joint Working Group Meeting, expected in October 2024. The year 2025 is anticipated to be a year of action, embodying the essence of collaboration between Pakistan and Russia.
Commerce & Trade
Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, welcomed Mr. Alexey Gruzdev, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, for a meeting aimed at enhancing trade relations between Pakistan and Russia. Held at the Ministry of Commerce on 18 Sep , the discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation and exploring new trade opportunities between the two countries.
The upcoming 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, scheduled for September 26-27, 2024, in Islamabad, was also discussed. The agenda includes discussions on industrial cooperation, customs, investments, transport and logistics, and agricultural trade.
The Russian Deputy Minister outlined areas for future cooperation, including the supply of mineral fertilizers, modernization of Pakistan’s fertilizer plants, export of agricultural machinery, supply of railway machinery, collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry, supply of metal products, and cooperation in digital technologies.
Mr. Gruzdev emphasized Russia’s willingness to offer expertise in modernizing Pakistan’s fertilizer plants and to provide training programs for Pakistani farmers to enhance agricultural productivity.
He also highlighted Russia’s interest in expanding exports of agricultural and railway machinery, as well as metal products, to Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Ministers Delegation Level Talks
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today held delegation-level talks with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk on 18 Sep.
The two sides discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and noted the positive momentum in Pakistan-Russia relations over the last two decades. They agreed to pursue robust dialogue and cooperation in areas of trade, industry, energy, connectivity, science, technology and education.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar expressed Pakistan’s desire to intensify bilateral, political, economic and defence dialogue with the Russian Federation.
The two sides also agreed to continue coordination on multilateral fora including at the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Deputy Prime Minister Dar thanked the Russian side for its support to Pakistan’s bid for the membership of BRICS.
Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk’s visit is taking place in pursuance of the vision of Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Vladimir Putin on transforming bilateral relations into a solid, mutually beneficial economic partnership.
