Russia and Pakistan have expressed a desire to sign protocols to strengthen cooperation in nine key economic sectors, including oil and liquefied natural gas, but definitive agreements on energy imports are unlikely (LNG).
On Wednesday, Pakistan and Russia launched a three-day intergovernmental commission to discuss the prospects for cooperation in the fields of oil and gas production, “cooperation in the field of electricity production, including hydropower and renewable power projects,” and “prospects of energy supply from Russia to Pakistan.”
On Friday, the two sides are expected to sign joint protocols in nine key areas of mutual interest: trade and investment, agriculture, energy, finance, customs, industrial cooperation, education & science and technology, information & communication technologies, and communications (such as roads, railways, and postal services).
The opening technical sessions of the commission’s eighth meeting began on Wednesday, with the respective sides led by Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Israfil Ali-Zade, Deputy Director of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Economic Development.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Russian delegation, which numbered around 80 people, included a large number of businesspeople who would meet with their counterparts in B2B settings both before and during the meetings.
The Russian Federation’s Ministers of Energy Nikolay Shulginov and Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will lead their respective sides on Thursday
And the commission’s major decisions will be announced on Friday.
Israfil Ali-Zade, deputy director of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Economic Development, stated:
His country values its relations with Pakistan and noted that there is already a high level of cooperation in place across all economic sectors.
“However, there are a number of new avenues and opportunities that need to be further explored,” he said during the opening session.
He went on to say that it was critical to assess current areas of cooperation and identify new opportunities for expanding mutual understanding between the two countries.
The Russian delegation of 80 people is currently engaged in a number of technical consultations.
Consultation topics include trade and investment, agriculture, energy, and industry.
Pavan Manzoor is an experienced content writer , editor and social media handler along with a track record of youth-oriented activities in Pakistan and abroad. She was selected as a fully-funded delegate as a leadership fellow in Turkey. She also led a team of 5 volunteers at the week-long Young Professionals Fellowship in Maldives. She is also a member of the Youth Standing Committee on Higher Education.
