Irked by domestic industry's inability in meeting fertiliser needs of the country over the years, Pakistan on Monday sought Russian government's financial and technical assistance to help establish new production units for 'important' agri input. At a meeting with Russian Ambassador in Pakistan, Sergey N Peskov, Federal Food Minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan sought market access for the import of its raw cotton, rice, fruit and livestock products. Bosan told the envoy that since Pakistan imported 90 percent fertilisers to fulfil its needs, it would facilitate Russian government in establishing manufacturing units.

Pakistan had to import more than 0.25 million tons urea for wheat crop alone in current Rabi season as the domestic industry could not provide sufficient input.

A statement issued here said that the ambassador informed the minister that Russian government was willing to provide Pakistan bulldozers and tractors to help boost its agro-based economy. The Russian government also offered Pakistan financial and technical assistance to build depots for the storage of grain, the statement said.

Bosan informed Peskov that Pakistan would facilitate the Russian government, if it came forward to establish manufacturing units for tractors in the country.

He also said that Pakistan wanted to import seeds of sunflower and modern technology from Russian to enhance productivity in the agriculture field, the statement added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005