ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the need to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan through diversification, improved market access and early operationalisation of trade facilitation mechanisms, while encouraging greater business-to-business linkages and investment in key sectors.
He said this while talking to Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, here on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Tukhtaev conveyed the appreciation of Uzbekistan’s leadership for Pakistan’s vanguard role in promoting peace in the region and the world at large.
Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan attaches the highest importance to its fraternal relations with Uzbekistan, underpinned by shared history, culture and mutual trust. He appreciated the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and conveyed his warm greetings to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He emphasised the need to enhance bilateral trade through diversification, improved market access and early operationalisation of trade facilitation mechanisms, while encouraging greater business-to-business linkages and investment in key sectors.
The President underscored connectivity as central to regional economic integration, reiterating that Pakistan offers the shortest access to warm waters through Gwadar and Karachi ports, and expressed support for the operationalisation of Trans-Afghan Railway Project.
He also highlighted the importance of peace and stability in the region for achieving shared connectivity and economic objectives.
The ambassador thanked Zardari for the warm reception and reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Ambassador Tukhtaev expressed Uzbekistan’s keen interest in expanding trade, investment and connectivity cooperation, appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional integration and economic linkages.
He also extended invitation of the Uzbek President for Zardari to visit Uzbekistan, to which the President directed that preparations be finalised for his visit later this year.
