Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed on Wednesday to expand bilateral trade to $ 2 billion when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in Tashkent.
The development occurs days after a similar agreement was reached to increase investments to $ 2 billion with Azerbaijan during the official visit of the Prime Minister there, which concluded yesterday.
The prime minister had arrived at Tashkent last night in an official two -day visit to strengthen bilateral and commercial relations.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have strengthened ties through commercial and economic cooperation. A $ 1 billion commercial agreement was signed in 2023, and plans for additional collaboration, including a road map for industrial cooperation, show the commitment of the two parties to boost regional connectivity.
Today early, Prime Minister Shehbaz was well received by Uzbekistan president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, today at the Tashkent congress center, where both leaders held a bilateral meeting.
After their meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Mirziyoyev witnessed a ceremony in which several Memorandes of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries in various areas were signed.
Speaking on the occasion, President Mirziyoyev said: “We arrived at the conclusions about different spheres and mutual commercial turnover had exceeded 400 million and we have plans to increase that to $ 2 billion.”
He described the negotiations between them “very fruitful”, adding that there was a “new direction” for them for future objectives.
The president said: “The modern state of Pakistan is our trusted partner, reliable for time and a promising ally whose international reputation is growing constantly.
“[…] Despite the current world challenges, the honorable prime minister is carrying out tremendous work to guarantee peace and stability, improve population living standards and accelerate economic growth. “
Congratulating the Pakistani government for these “achievements,” said the relations between the two countries had been “dynamically.”
President Mirziyoyev said that joint companies between Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reached 130 while commercial houses had opened in Karachi and Tashkent.
“Air Travel has been released between Tashkent and Lahore,” he said, added that it was also agreed to open new routes, including flights between Samarcanda, Bukhara and Karachi.
He said that the Intergovernmental Commission was working effectively, while “political consultations, commercial events and exhibitions of our national products have been organized successfully.”
President Mirziyoyev said that a “great delegation of the main Pakistani” had arrived in Tashkent, with Uzbekos partners participating in meetings with them and celebrating dialogues in the association agreements.
Inviting Pakistani companies to work in their country, he said: “I would also like to present to Pakistani companies what are the conditions in Uzbekistan and we are ready to create all the necessary conditions to come to Uzbekistan.”
“We confirm our shared commitment to strengthen the ties of long -standing friendship and for developing cooperation, we have signed important agreements,” said Uzbekistan’s president.
He also announced the visits of the head of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan to Pakistan and his counterpart, the state bank of the governor of Pakistan, to Tashkent.
“We are planning to increase commercial billing to $ 2 billion and we will increase industrial cooperation, we will develop transparent logistics connections and create favorable conditions and incentives for entrepreneurs,” said Mirziyoyev.
He pointed out that the discussions were held on “pharmaceutical, textile, main industry and agriculture”, while Prime Minister Shehbaz also made proposals on energy, geology and mining spheres to “develop these industries and have regional cooperation and access to the markets of other countries. “
Detailing other decisions taken during their meeting, he said that a high -level strategic council would be established between the two nations.
“Once in two months, we will have calls through mobile phones. Once a month, all relevant ministries and organizations, in an online format, will inform us about the implementation of these instructions and measures.
“We didn’t have this type of approach to [any] Other countries, “said Mirziyoyev, added that the Strategic Council would guarantee the efficient implementation of these directives.
It also averaged greater collaboration between nations through people exchanges to people, cultural events and festivals.
The president also affirmed his diplomatic support to Pakistan’s position on the “social development of Afghanistan and the resolution of the Palestinian problem.”
The president thanked the prime minister for his “warm words” for the Uzbeko people and accepted the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz to make an official visit to Pakistan.
Mirziyoyev concluded his direction with his good wishes for the next month of Ramazan.
PM reaffirms the commitment to the set Railroad Project
Meanwhile, heading to the media information session, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work with Uzbekistan in a planned railway link that crosses Afghanistan and connected to the two countries.
The two countries had signed an agreement in July 2023 for the “Railway Project of Uzbekistan-Fganistan-Pakistan (UAP)”.
The prime minister said: “We are going to […] Achieve Trans-Fgana rail connectivity together that will change the game not only for Pakistan and Uzbekistan but throughout the region.
“I know you are very committed to this project,” he said, addressing President Uzbeko sitting next to him.
“We have discussed and decided to cooperate in the field of mines and minerals,” said Prime Minister, added that the “potential to invest in the economic zones of the other was also discussed.”
Speaking before, President Mirziyoyev said that the two leaders had “detailed negotiations for the first time” on the trans-factan railroad. “We share the open challenges […] and concluded the solutions to those problems regarding transport and logistics. “
Announced the formation of a separation committee led by him and Prime Minister Shehbaz. “We know that this is our future,” he said, explaining that high -speed railway routes would increase bilateral trade and the trip of people among countries.
“There were some problems that we were not raising openly, but today we had open discussions, we raised them openly,” said Uzbek president.
PM is welcome with Guard of Honor
Today early, the prime minister received a formal welcome reception, with the national hymns of Pakistan and Uzbekistan, followed by the Honor Guard by the contingents of the Uzbek Armed Forces, which the prime minister reviewed together with President Mirziyoyev.
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Mirziyoyev presented their respective delegations to each other before proceeding to the bilateral meeting and conversations at the delegation level.
At their meeting, both leaders were ready to “discuss all areas of bilateral cooperation, including connectivity, economic, commercial, investment, energy, defense and security, regional stability and education”, according to a previous statement issued by the Ministry of Affairs Exterior.
Leaders also had to exchange opinions on regional and international issues of mutual interest, according to the press release.
Later today, the prime minister would visit the Techno Park in Tashkent to observe the Uzbekistan construction industry, according to Application.
Several activities on the economic side are also expected during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
According to the FO, “several bilateral agreements/Mou” is expected to be signed between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The prime minister is also ready to address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan business forum, where “leading entrepreneurs of both parties” would participate and would hold B2B meetings to further improve bilateral trade.
The visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz “underlines Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen his ties with Uzbekistan, promoting greater economic collaboration and exploring new ways of association, as part of the strategic vision for regional integration and economic prosperity,” He had pointed out the FO.
“Pakistan and Uzbekistan are united by common ties of history, culture, religion and their peace and development aspirations,” he said.
The prime minister is accompanied by a high -level delegation, including vice president Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, the Minister of Investment and Privatization, Abdul Aleem Khan, the Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, and special assistant of Prime Minister Tariq Fatmi.
PM expects ‘mutually advantageous cooperation’
Upon arrival in the capital of Tashkent yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz was received for his counterpart Uzbeka Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov.
Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor, Sahov, Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umurzakov, envoy Uzbeko Alisher Takhitayev and his Pakistani counterpart Ahmed Farooq, along with superior diplomatic and government officials, were also present.
Prime Minister Shehbaz visited the Independence Monument in Tashkent, where he placed a crown of flowers and was informed about the history of 3000 years old from the Uzbeka nation and his heroes, administered by the state Pakistan radio reported.
The visit stressed the shared historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan while reaffirming the commitment to deepen bilateral relations, said a statement.
The prime minister expressed his admiration for the progress and resistance of Uzbekistan, establishing parallels with Pakistan’s struggle for independence and development.
In his comments, Prime Minister Shehbaz had said: “The monument of independence is a testimony of courage and the determination of the Uzbeko people. Pakistan and Uzbekistan share a common vision for peace, prosperity and regional connectivity. This visit is a reminder of our shared values and the need to work together for a brighter future. “
“Wheels in Uzbekistan. Deeply moved by the great reception at the airport and the warm welcome for my dear brother Prime Minister Abdullah Aipov, ”said Prime Minister in X after his arrival there yesterday.
“Uzbekistan is the Central Asia Crown, breathes history through the greatness of its old cities, timeless art and a magnificent architecture. I look forward to my commitments to improve our common desire to strengthen these friendship ties through mutually advantageous trade, investment and cooperation. “
Earlier this month, Ambassador Tukhtayev had met with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he emphasized that Uzbekos investors were eager to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in Baluchistan.
Last month, the envoy had announced the plan of his government to introduce a new direct flight route between Tashkent and Karachi this year, describing it as a “significant step to promote the closest ties between the two nations.”
In May of last year, the foreign ministers of both countries gathered, underlining their countries’ commitment to the rapid completion of a planned railway bond that Afghanistan crossed.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has grown substantially in recent years, from $ 27 million in 2019-20 to $ 126 million in 2022-23.
