PNN – The latest details of the quiet consultations between Pakistan and Russia to open new avenues for macroeconomic cooperation, in which the two sides discussed the Russians’ participation in advancing the Iran-Pakistan joint gas project as well as the renovation of the Quetta-Teftan railway line.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the Business Recorder newspaper, one of Pakistan’s leading economic newspapers, in a report has discussed new details of the important consultations between Islamabad and Moscow to measure the solutions to strengthen macroeconomic cooperation under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council as a governing body in Pakistan.
Last year, the government of Pakistan, with the support of the country’s army, established a council called the “Special Investment Facilitation Council” (SIFC), whose main purpose is to facilitate foreign investment in Pakistan, especially from the countries of the Persian Gulf, and the role of the army as a guarantor. Recently, Saudi Arabia and UAE have agreed to invest 5 billion and 10 billion dollars respectively in this country under the support of this special council in Pakistan. In December of last year, during the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Army Commander to Kuwait, several agreements were signed between the two countries under the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
According to the report of this newspaper, the two sides are also interested in cooperation in the field of investment and trade and have exchanged the list of free trade zones. The rules of clearing trade and the plan of this type of trade operation between Pakistan and Iran/Pakistan and Afghanistan and the main regulatory documents in Pakistan, as well as a list of Pakistani companies that are interested in clearing transactions with Russian companies, have been discussed with Moscow.
Also, the Pakistani officials discussed with the officials of this country how the Russians participated in the construction of the gas pipeline related to the joint gas project with Iran and the possible organization of swap gas supply from Russia.
According to the sources, both parties are considering the preparation of a comprehensive plan for the development of the gas industry in Pakistan (General Gas Plan for Pakistan) and a list of projects in the field of modernization of energy production capacities and investment opportunities for Russia.
Business Recorder newspaper added: The possibility of Russian ships entering Gwadar port (in Balochistan province), the implementation of direct flights between Russia and Pakistan, the interest of the Pakistani side in the participation of Russian companies in the modernization of transport infrastructure, heavy and light industry facilities, investment in industrial and agricultural fields.
Last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a message that Moscow will not back down from its commitment to expand cooperation with Pakistan under any circumstances, and that the two countries are working together to form a more just multipolar world order.