Pakistan, Russia eye increasing economic collaboration

– Pakistan and Russia are exploring greater trade in agricultural machinery, fertilisers, pesticides and animal vaccines, Pakistan’s government said on Monday, as the two countries strive to deepen economic ties after decades of restricted cooperation.

Islamabad and Moscow have been steadily increasing ties in trade, energy, agriculture and regional diplomacy in recent years. The two countries have continued contact thru bilateral and intergovernmental forums, the foreign ministry said, adding that Pakistan was pursuing a long-term, diversified collaboration with Russia.

Agriculture is a major source of employment and economic activity in Pakistan, but the industry confronts longstanding issues such as low mechanisation, high input costs and uneven productivity, making access to machinery and farm supplies a crucial aspect of attempts to enhance output.

“Russian companies and institutions are ready to explore opportunities to supply agricultural machinery, fertilisers, pesticides and vaccines to Pakistan,” Nikita Buzanov, a representative of Russia’s Economic Development Ministry, told Pakistan’s Press Information Department.

Buzanov made the statements at a meeting with Pakistan’s National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, the release said.

“Russia is ready to work with Pakistan for identifying requirements in the area of agriculture and to develop mechanisms for closer cooperation in the area of farm inputs, machinery and animal health products,” he added.

The Russian side also showed interest in helping agricultural development thru expanded trade, transfer of technology and technological collaboration, the statement stated.

Buzanov said access to sophisticated and efficient farm gear might allow Pakistan to boost output, cut costs and increase mechanisation.

Hussain said increased cooperation with Russia in agricultural machinery, fertilisers and pesticides might help support farm production and Pakistan’s food-security goals, and urged for wider access to those items.

He also called for greater cooperation in cattle and animal health, including vaccines and contemporary technologies.

The talks are part of a wider extension of Pakistan-Russia relations. In July, prior of the ASEAN Regional Forum ministerial conference in Manila, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Energy has been a key part of the bilateral conversations with the two countries working on deeper economic cooperation in energy, connectivity, industry and agriculture.

Pakistan imported Russian crude oil in 2023 in one of the most obvious evidence of growing commercial ties between the two countries as Islamabad sought cheaper and varied energy suppliers.

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