Pak-Russia agree to strengthen bilateral trade

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce and Textile, Pervaiz Malik, who is currently on a visit to Moscow held a meeting with Russian Minister for Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting under Shanghai Coordination Organization (SCO), and expressed interest in further strengthening cooperation in all fields of mutual interest including trade, energy, defence, and culture. The two Ministers expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of bilateral relations and expressed interest in further strengthening cooperation in all fields of mutual interest including trade, energy, defense and culture, says a statement received here from Moscow on Thursday.

They also agreed on making joint efforts to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

On the occasion Pervaiz Malik extended invitation to Denis Manturov for a visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience to which Mr Denis responded positively and accepted the invitation. Earlier, the Commerce Minister attend the 16th Meeting of Ministers of SCO member states responsible for foreign economic and foreign trade activity in Moscow from November 13 to 16.

He was accompanied by MNA Shaista Malik and two officials of the Ministry of Commerce. The meeting was attended by Ministers of Commerce and Trade of the eight members of the SCO as well as Observers.

The Ministers deliberated on the topic of "Current situation and prospects for further development of multilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation in the region of SCO". In his Statement made at the meeting, the Minister highlighted that Pakistan will work proactively with fellow SCO-member states to realize the goals and objectives of this forum in keeping with the SCO Charter and the ' Shanghai Spirit' of mutual trust, and shared development.