ISLAMABAD: Ukrainian Ambassador to Pakistan, Volodymyr Lakomov, on Sunday said that Pakistan and Ukraine could easily boost their existing trade volume to new heights by exploring non-traditional avenues.
The envoy said that the current trade volume between the two countries is $500 million and steps are in hand to enhance the same.
He said that Ukraine is in the process of signing about a dozen agreements with Pakistan, providing a level playing field to the investors from both the sides, besides enhancing science and technologies, education, cultural and trade relations.
He further said Pakistani businessmen could explore Ukrainian market for their products like textile, handicraft and leather goods, surgical instruments, sport goods and fruits, especially mango, kinno and dates.
Similarly, Ukraine could export metallurgy items, wheat, cargo and aviation and aerospace technologies besides military hardware, he added.
He said that Pakistan had a lot of potential to excel in the aviation sector and Ukraine having over six decades experience of manufacturing passenger and cargo aircraft could help it in that regard. Ukraine’s “Antonov” company had so far developed over 100 types of aircraft including one of the biggest cargo carriers, besides a fire extinguisher, he added.
He said for enhancing bilateral trade of the two countries, an agreement was recently inked to do away double taxation adding that both the countries could sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in fields like investment, aviation, education, maritime merchant ships, law enforcement field, agriculture and food security, science and technologies and cultural exchanges.
He appreciated that the democratic system had deepening its roots in Pakistan after passing through a series of tests and trials.
While referring to a recent meeting of Ukrainian foreign minister with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, he said that both the leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.
While expressing his appreciation for the quality and taste of Pakistani fruits, he said, “Kinno, Mango and dates of this country are juicy and tasteful.”
The envoy said though the long distance between the two countries is a handicap for import and export of such perishable fruits, but the Ukrainians are fond of the quality and taste of fruits produced in Pakistan.
While appreciating the proposal for arranging a programme of Ukrainian singer ‘Jamala’, the winner of Eurovision song competition in Pakistan on its founding day on August 14, the ambassador said it would a step forward to enhance bilateral cultural ties.
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