In major development, Pakistan starts fruit delivery to Russia via land

Pakistani traders sell oranges on their trucks at a fruit market in Lahore on December 4, 2016. (AFP/File)
Short Url
  • Sixteen trucks carrying oranges from Pakistan have entered the Russian cities of Derbent and Grozny
  • Pakistan, faced with an economic slowdown, is trying to expand bilateral trade to revive frail economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has achieved a milestone in regional trade by beginning the transportation of fruit to Russia via land, Pakistani state media reported on Monday.

In this regard, 16 trucks of Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation carrying oranges entered the Russian cities of Derbent and Grozny after covering a distance of almost 6,000 kilometers.

“Russia applauded the efforts of the NLC for the promotion of bilateral trade between both the countries,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster said.

Pakistan, which has been facing an economic slowdown for the last two years, is currently making efforts to expand bilateral trade with several countries.

The South Asian country is also trying to attract foreign investment, particularly from the Middle East, to strengthen its diminishing reserves and volatile currency.

Prior to the export of fruit to Russia, the NLC also provided logistics support for the export of bananas, meat and seafood to Central Asian states and China.