Navid Miraj & Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: The Republic of Uzbekistan Embassy in Pakistan on Saturday celebrated the 33rd anniversary of its Independence from Russia.
The Embassy hosted a diplomatic reception under the leadership of Ambassador Oybek Arif Usmanov attended by distinguished guests and diplomats.
The event also celebrated the commemorated 32 years of diplomatic relations and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, who was the chief guest at the event, emphasised the long-standing historical and cultural bonds shared between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
In his address, Minister Kamal expressed profound honor and pleasure in participating in the Independence Day celebrations. He conveyed the heartfelt gratitude of the Government and people of Pakistan to their Uzbek counterparts, highlighting the special and unique relationship nurtured by centuries of shared history and cultural ties.
Minister Kamal underscored the significance of Uzbekistan as a vital trading partner for Pakistan in the Central Asian region. Over the decades, the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations, which are exemplified by Uzbekistan being the first Central Asian nation to sign both the Transit Trade Agreement and the Preferential Trade Agreement with Pakistan. This strategic partnership has facilitated Uzbek traders in utilizing Pakistani ports for importing goods globally in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The bilateral trade volume between the two countries has witnessed substantial growth over the past three years, reflecting the strengthening of economic ties.
Made in Pakistan Exhibition
The Minister highlighted the success of the “Made in Pakistan Exhibition” held in Tashkent in June 2024, organized by the Ministry of Commerce. The exhibition saw the participation of 85 Pakistani companies and hundreds of Uzbek businessmen, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment relations. This initiative demonstrated the growing interest in Pakistani products and the potential for further economic collaboration.
Future Prospects and Collaboration
Encouraging future cooperation, Minister Kamal urged the business communities of both nations to leverage the opportunities presented by today’s business forum. He called on Uzbek and Pakistani entrepreneurs to forge closer ties and elevate the economic and trade relationship to new heights. The Minister expressed confidence in the steady, gradual, but persistent growth of trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, despite any challenges. He emphasized the importance of continued engagement from both public officials and the private sector to achieve these goals.
The Uzbek Ambassador Oybek Usmanov praised Pakistan’s support in enhancing connectivity, particularly in the fields of defence, trade, and regional infrastructure.
Ambassador Usmanov highlighted that the bilateral trade had reached half a billion dollars, with plans to reach $1 billion soon, thanks to joint efforts in transit and logistics agreements.
He also pointed out the trilateral Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project as a transformative initiative for regional connectivity.
