The Russian government is seeking to develop cooperation on agriculture and possibly nuclear energy with the Philippines, as it strives to improve trade and economic exchanges with the country.

“We could find a way and we continue to trade with the Philippines —the matter is how to enlarge it and we propose different kind of areas including agriculture, nuclear energy cooperation,” Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov said on the sidelines of a Foreign Service Institute (FSI) lecture on Wednesday.

“It’s up to the Filipino side to consider our openness and to propose something concrete,” he said.

Russia, the envoy said, could consider opening up market access to more Philippine goods, including seafood.

“For example, fish and tuna, why not? It could be possible, but it should be negotiated and processed with our competent authorities,” he added.

Pavlov said there had been an increased engagement in the agriculture sector between the two states and confirmed that Russian pork and beef would soon access the Philippine market.

Russian exports companies, he added, are in fact hoping to revisit the Philippines this year.

The envoy said trade between the two states reached around USD600 million, with Russia mostly exporting iron, steel, mineral resources, petrochemicals, and agricultural products.

The Philippines, meanwhile, exports electronics, garments, and food products, including dried mango.

On top of trade, he said Russian companies are interested in linking up with Filipino stakeholders in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. (PNA)