For the first time in the history of trade between Pakistan and Russia, the first consignment of fruit from the Asian country reached Russia by land via Iran and Azerbaijan, said Pakistani Ambassador to Russia Muhammad Khalid Jamali.
“I am pleased to announce that for the first time in our history, the first truck with citrus fruits from Pakistan arrived in Russia. The route ran through Iran and Azerbaijan. This route repeats the Great Silk Road. Its launch will bring great benefits to the entire region,” Jalali said during his visit to Derbent, Russia.
The Pakistani envoy stressed that the modern world is based on people-to-people contact.
“Establishing contacts with other civilizations and cultures is very important. We believe that through interaction between people we can come closer on many issues, and this will benefit the entire region,” he stated.
Trade between the two countries has recently gained momentum as Russia has become the main supplier of wheat to Pakistan.
Russian companies delivered nearly half a million tonnes of wheat, a record amount, bringing their share of Pakistani imports to seven-tenths, a recent Sputnik analysis of Pakistani statistics in March showed.