As part of this strategy, a team of experts will be sent to Moscow to address and speed up cooperation in the banking sector with Russia, the Business Recorder website reported.

Emphasis will also be placed on importing Russian oil and gas and concluding a wheat purchase agreement, as well as exploring prospects for agricultural technology cooperation to improve yield per hectare in Pakistan.

Both countries will explore available options for road and rail connectivity, possible ways of cooperation in the mining sector and exchange trade mechanisms, as well as the promotion of Russian investment in iron ore deposits in Pakistan.

As for Iran, Islamabad will send an inter-ministerial delegation to Tehran in the first week of October to discuss barter trade, energy cooperation and find workable solutions to improve bilateral exchange.

Pakistan will also establish close bilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector, especially the purchase of liquefied natural gas, as well as establishing cargo transportation between the two countries and starting discussions on the possibilities of importing urea and oil from Azerbaijan, as well as the studying the possibilities of railway cooperation.

For its part, the Ministry of Communications will explore the opportunities of road connection with Azerbaijan via Iran.

pgh/llp/oda/abm