Pakistani producers of rice, citrus, cotton, leather have good prospects of export to Ukraine, and bilateral trade volume could be increased manifold, Charge d' Affaires of Ukraine Embassy, Oleh Shevchenko tells Business Recorder Staff Reporter Wasim Iqbal in an exclusive interview.
The following are excerpts from the interview:
BR: How do you assess the Ukraine-Pakistan relations? OS: The history of bilateral relations started during the Soviet Union's times when Soviet experts, the vast majority of whom were Ukrainians, helped develop the key industries and national economy of Pakistan in the 1960s and 1970s. The Karachi Steel Mills and hydro power stations in Tarbella were built in that period. In addition, Ukraine's agricultural machinery and trucks were made available to Pakistan.
After independence, Ukraine and Pakistan jointly assembled and subsequently took over the maintenance of the main battle tank "Al Khalid" which has export potential.
BR: How to improve trade relation between the two countries?
OS: According to Ukrainian statistical data, the annual turnover between the two countries is around $170-300 million. At the same time, the potential of development of trade and economic co-operation, by and large remain to be harnessed. Pakistani companies are also promoting their products in the Ukrainian markets. It is significant that export of the Pakistani goods to Ukraine was doubled the previous year. The same trend we can see in the first half of 2011. I'm sure that Pakistani producers of rice, citrus, cotton and leather have good prospects in Ukraine.
On the other hand, Ukrainian companies produce quality and cheap equipment for power generation and electricity distribution companies, oil and gas pipelines (Sumy Frunze NPO), equipment for oil-and-gas production industry, tractors (Kharkov Tractor Plant), locomotives, railway cars, equipment for railways, industrial, engines for airplanes and helicopters as well as industrial gas turbines, one of the world leaders in gas turbine construction, bus producer (LAZ).
The current development is the establishment of the Pakistan-Ukraine Business Council.
BR: Is Ukraine interested in investing in the expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills?
OS: Ukrainian companies are interested to participate in such projects. As you know, several years ago Ukrainian investors took part in the respective privatisation tender. However, at the moment, the embassy has not received any offer from Pakistan about investing in the expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills.
BR: What is the volume of defence co-operation between the two countries and how it could be further strengthened?
OS: Co-operation in defence and military-technical spheres moves forward in different directions, including joint training of officers, technical experts and pilots, through the supply and joint development of high-tech weaponry and equipment for the Army, Navy, Air Force of Pakistan. We will continue our co-operation in developing technologies and manufacturing military products; first of all in frames of "Al Khalid" project.
We are interested in strengthening such co-operation, and hope to achieve significant results in the near future.
BR: Pakistan is asking for generation of electricity through nuclear means. Will Ukraine consider the request of Pakistani government?
OS: Indeed, Ukraine has one of the largest power sectors. Electricity production in Ukraine was 180 098 million kWh in 2010.
Obviously, Ukraine, in particular Energy Company of Ukraine, has considerable experience in the construction and maintenance of power plants and is ready to share this experience with our partners. I think that Ukraine and Pakistan have enormous potential for energy co-operation, particularly in the field of thermal and hydropower.
As you know, co-operation in the sphere of nuclear energy is regulated by a number of international instruments and co-operation in this area should develop exclusively within the framework of international law.
BR: What kind of education can Pakistani students get in Ukraine?
OS: There are over 800 higher educational institutions in Ukraine, including 198 universities. All information about educational institutions of Ukraine, Regulation on Education of Foreigners in Ukraine is available in the catalogue of "Higher education in Ukraine". The link to this catalogue, and other information about Ukraine you can find on the web-site of the Embassy https://www.mfa.gov.ua/pakistan.
BR: This year Ukraine celebrates the 20th anniversary of independence. Where is Ukraine today?
OS: Indeed, Ukraine's independence was proclaimed 20 years ago. In the early years of the independence our nation was faced with several challenges. You remember that USSR collapsed because of a political and economic crisis. So, the leaders of an independent Ukraine should resolve the problems which the then Soviet leaders failed to address.
Ukraine is a democratic country. It's developing on market principles. In 2010, GDP growth was 4.2%. Ukraine leads in supply of cast iron, steel and a wide-range of metalware in world market and also supplies military and agricultural products to other countries.
European integration, including EU membership, is a key priority of Ukraine's foreign policy. At the final stage are the Ukraine-EU negotiations on conclusion of Treaty on association, the inalienable part of which is the establishment of a free trade zone.