ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to deepen trade and connectivity ties with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), according to an official statement on Friday, as it looks to diversify export markets and position itself as a transit hub linking Central Asia to South Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, met Andrey Slepnev, the EAEU’s minister in charge of trade, at the bloc’s secretariat in Moscow to discuss cooperation in trade, investment and business-to-business exchanges.
“Pakistan attaches great significance to strengthening and deepening its relations with the EAEU,” the statement said, citing the ambassador during the meeting.
The EAEU, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, operates as a customs union coordinating trade and tariff policies among member states.
Pakistan has in recent years sought to expand trade links beyond traditional Western and Gulf markets as it works to boost exports and shore up foreign exchange inflows amid a fragile economic recovery.
The talks also covered transit trade and connectivity, areas where Pakistan sees “tremendous potential,” the statement said, as Islamabad promotes access to its Arabian Sea ports for regional trade.
Both sides expressed readiness to develop trade mechanisms to strengthen engagement, though no agreements or timelines were announced.
