18/10/2023

Pakistan is ready for sustainable economic cooperation with Russia. The sides confirmed their interest in increasing the volume of bilateral trade, as well as in strengthening strong friendship and economic partnership between the two countries.

"We welcome the positive developments in Pakistani-Russian trade and are committed to developing a sustainable and stronger partnership with Russia. Pakistan hopes to expand trade, open up new opportunities for cooperation and further strengthen the long-standing ties of friendship between the two countries," said Gohar Ejaz, Minister of Trade in the Interim Government of Pakistan.

Pakistan's exports to Russia amounted to 74 million, imports – 846 million. Pakistan brings citrus fruits, clothing, textiles, medical equipment and other goods to Russia. At the same time, Russia supplies Pakistan with wheat, legumes and various types of fuel. This year alone, a million tons of grain were brought from Russia to Pakistan.

And in April 2023, Pakistan placed an order for the import of 100,000 tons of Russian oil. This trial batch is intended to test the ability of enterprises to process oil from Russia. In June, about 101 thousand tons of Russian oil were delivered to the port of Karachi with the help of two tankers. And at the end of September, the Russian Federation brought the first batch of liquefied petroleum gas to Pakistan by land transport.

Now Pakistan plans to sign a long-term agreement on the purchase of 0.7 million tons to 1 million tons of Russian oil per year. At the same time, pay for supplies from Russia in yuan and Pakistani rupees on an ongoing basis. Thus, Pakistan will be able to cover about 10% of its oil demand.