Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of the visit of the government delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 26-27 December this year, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Jamshid Khodjaev held a series of meetings and negotiations with heads of key ministries and departments and representatives of the business community of Pakistan.

In particular, meetings were held with PRI Minister of Commerce Sayyid Naveed Qamar, his First Deputy Sualeh Ahmad Farooqi, Minister of National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister of Finance Ishak Dar, Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Railways Khawaja Saad Rafik.

At these meetings, such topical issues of current bilateral cooperation were raised as the adoption and further implementation of the Joint Program to bring trade to US$1 billion, the coordination and enforcement of the Preferential Trade Agreement, and the active use of the possibilities of the current Transit Trade Agreement. 

An agreement was reached on the adoption of specific measures for the practical implementation of investment projects in the textile industry, in the production of building materials, mineral fertilizers, household appliances, housing construction, science and technology and tourism, with a total value of over US$500 million, as well as mutual supplies of chemical products.

The prospects for the full use of the transit potential of Uzbekistan and Pakistan in the context of joint entry into the markets of the CIS countries, South, Southeast Asia and Africa were noted, in connection with which the possibility of renting off-dock terminals by Uzbek companies in the ports of Karachi and Gwadar was studied.

The parties separately analyzed the prospects for cooperation in the field of agriculture, referring to the supply of a number of types of Uzbek agricultural products, the organization of exports and the establishment of joint production of raw sugar, dairy products, the organization of joint rice farms and goat farms.

The Pakistani side expressed its readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to the discussed initiatives, to introduce common rules for phytosanitary control, to intensify technical and advisory support for the process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and to continue joint work within the framework of regional transport and logistics projects with the adoption of measures to involve them in their implementation. interested countries in the region.

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister also met with a delegation of Pakistani business circles consisting of the heads of TCS Logistics, Nishat Group, Ejaz Group, Fatima Group, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Getz Pharma, Najeeb Fibres, Wah Nobel Group, AKD Group, Jazz , Alam Match, CCI Sarhad and others. During these meetings, the investment climate of Uzbekistan, the conditions created for foreign investors and specific investment cases were presented.

Following the dialogue, the Uzbek side expressed its readiness to provide comprehensive support in the implementation of joint investment projects and initiatives.