Spectre
SENIOR MEMBER
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HISTORICALLY Pakistan and Russia were left away on the international affair and this was due to the strategic design of the world master to keep Pakistan away from Russia. The climax of this design was witnessed when Pakistan and Russia were at war in Afghanistan. Fortunately after the fall of Soviet Union the animosity between the two countries started softening and a desire to promote friendship started coming up. Pakistan and Russia’s relations have been through various ups and downs but still both countries, out of odds, managed to develop a congeniality of relations. Pakistan and Russia need to take their steps forward in the correct direction to cover the journey of thousand miles. Both countries extended hands of cooperation in the field of education, energy, trade, counter terrorism and anti narcotics. Both nations have mutual understanding and shared objective of peace and harmony in the region with development. Visionary and dynamic Chinese leadership founded a regional bloc Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on 14th June 2001, which was attended by Heads of State from member countries (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). SCO summit which was held in Russia (Ufa) recently, in which the full membership was given to Pakistan and India was also helpful in arranging a meeting between two leaders from both countries which proved to be a catalyst in process of bilateral negotiations among the two troubled neighbors. Russia’s supportive role in process of Pakistan becoming a permanent member of SCO is exceptional and notable at the same time. SCO countries total population is 3 billion that accounts half of the world’s total population. Total GDP of the SCO members sums about 13 trillion US dollars.In past Russia assisted Pakistan in building Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi, which is a milestone for the economy of our country. The process of cooperation and development between Russia-Pakistan started getting momentum as a Karachi-Lahore pipeline deal was signed. Energy deal worth $2 Billion between Pakistan and Russia was sealed on 16th October. This bilateral energy cooperation between Pakistan and Russia is significant for abating the energy crisis in Pakistan. It is learnt that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to visit Pakistan in February 2016 to perform the groundbreaking of the pipeline project. Russia is country of 143 million people and a very important market for Pakistan especially for trade goods significantly in field of textile, food and agricultural products. It has a market size of 45 Billion US dollars of food products and is fifth largest importer in this regard. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Russia was worth 1860 billion US dollars in 2014. The GDP value of Russia represents 3 percent of the world economy. Russia’s economy is highly dependent on exports of commodities with crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas with a total export around 233 billion US dollars annually. On the other hand total imports accounts 127 billion US dollars which include consumer goods, textile, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceutical products, plastic, semi-finished metal products, meat, fruits and nuts, optical and medical instruments, iron, and steel. Unfortunately despite the enormous demand from Russian market Pakistan still is unable to capture the markets due to technical issues and hurdles, which are required to be addressed by Government of Pakistan. The duties on many such products are comparatively higher which is due to the absence of a protocol on duties between Pakistan and Russian, which makes it difficult for exporters in Pakistan to utilize full potential. If such protocol is signed between the two states Pakistan can double its exports towards Russian markets.Over the last decade Russian imports of goods from the European Union rose from 51 billion US dollars to 114 billion US dollars. Russian exports to the EU dominated by exports of raw materials while imports consist mainly of food and light manufactures and consumer goods. The volume of trade between Pakistan and Russia is 432 million US dollars as recorded for year 2014 in which Pakistan’s export were 188 million US dollars. This trade volume stood at 714 million US dollars in 2008, within the last decade the trade pattern between Pakistan and Russia had been through quagmire of several technical issues, which can be resolved with proper focus by government. Relations deteriorated between Russia and European Union over the annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and after the implementation of economic sanctions by EU and US, Russia has turned towards East for better bilateral trade and economic relations. Pakistan can benefit enormously from this shift in the political structure of the region. Fruits, Food items, Cotton, Polyester, and Rice are major export products from Pakistan, as they constitute 75% of our total export to Russia. Kinnow constitutes 28%, Cotton 27%, Polyester 10%, and Rice 5% of the total exports to Russia.Russia also imposed ban on importing Fruit and Vegetables from European Union and this is a great opportunity for Pakistan to capture the potential Russian markets. Once you have the opportunity it would be a mistake to miss it and by availing this opportunity Pakistan may keep their potential customers in Russian markets and might not want to lose them afterwards.With a rift between ideological and political school of thoughts between two major powers during bipolar international system, South Asian countries while particularly Pakistan have seen immense pressure and a fear was incited that Russia will take over the region in order to gain access to warm waters. Now with transforming regional and global politics Pakistan must break this taboo and should facilitate Russia by providing regional connectivity from Gwadar to Russia. Road and Rail links will redefine the future of this region and economic boom with regional development will progress among the member states of SCO. This new era of increased economic ties can generate hundreds and millions of new jobs and multiple opportunities that will benefit a total of 3 billion people of SCO countries eventually increasing Gross National Happiness (GNP), which accumulates socio-economic development of a particular region.The trade benefits among business community should be promoted which will eventually help strengthen political and cultural relations between Pakistan and Russia. Pakistan International Airline and Aeroflot-Russian Airlines had direct air link, which was continued till 2008, but unfortunately that link is now disconnected. Leadership from both countries must take up this matter for easy access and regional connectivity. The changing parameters of international, regional, political and security environment, Pakistan must continue to have a thrust towards developing close relations with Russia and it must also work on raising it to much higher level. New phase has already marked to begin in Pakistan and Russian relationship.
My friend - nicely summed up. It would help if you can divide you article into paragraphs - makes for easier reading.
Regards
