HYDERABAD, Jan 23: Russian Deputy Trade Representative in Karachi Vitaly A. Glinkin has said that there is a vast potential for Russian goods in Pakistan’s market and Russian companies are interested in textiles, sports goods and surgical items.

He said that Russia could improve its trade relations with Pakistan in respect of energy and heavy engineering sectors as well.

Mr Glinkin was speaking to reporters at the inauguration of a photo exhibition here the other day. Russian Consul General Vladimir V. Seliverstov was chief guest on the occasion.

“We are interested in quality products textile, sports and surgical goods for our country. At present we have a turnover of $270 million trade volume with Pakistan. It was only $50 million in 1998, and I hope this year it would improve further,” he added. He pointed out that Russia was willing to explore market in Pakistan for its products to improve trade relations gradually.

About the WTO, he said that Russia had recently signed a protocol for joining the world trade body. He said that in the post-USSR scenario nothing had seriously changed as far as the trade of Russia was concerned. “Our economy is quite stable nowadays and after joining the WTO, the Russian economy would improve,” he remarked.

Mr Glinkin said: “We are part of world’s business community and many a Russian enterprise or company is willing to work within the framework of the WTO.” He referred to Russian wheat, which he said was quite competitive and was exported to Pakistan only last year. He asserted that Russian companies could export chemical, paper board, metal and other equipments to Pakistan.

Regarding India-Russia trade relations, he said that the trade volume of Russia was very huge when it came to India because there was a great investment in the engineering sector of India. “We are interested to do the same in Pakistan,” he said and added that the post 9/11 scenario did no affect the economy in the region and Russian businessmen were interested in expanding their business.