ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan’s government is mulling to launch a new direct flight between Tashkent and Pakistan’s Karachi this year.
Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev made the announcement on Sunday during his visit to Karachi where he addressed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and members of the business community in the metropolis.
He underscored the historic and brotherly ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, supported by shared cultural and religious affinities.
“Our two nations are closer than ever, thanks to the realisation of the long-awaited vision of regional connectivity,” the ambassador said, emphasising the ongoing efforts to enhance economic cooperation and strategic collaboration.
Ambassador Tukhtaev said that Uzbekistan implemented a soft visa regime for Pakistani nationals in September 2023, facilitating business and tourist travel.
This initiative, along with the recently launched direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore, highlights Uzbekistan’s dedication to strengthening people-to-people ties and enhancing mutual understanding.
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The ambassador emphasised the growing trade potential, noting that bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has tripled in the last five years, increasing from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023.
He also pointed out the untapped opportunities for further collaboration, particularly in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather and tannery, food processing, and agriculture.
The ambassador praised the success of the “Made in Pakistan” single-country exhibition held in Tashkent last June, which provided a platform for entrepreneurs from both nations to boost new trade and investment ties.
He announced plans for a “Made in Uzbekistan” industrial exhibition in Karachi later this year, which he thinks would further strengthen economic ties.
The ambassador invited a delegation from the KCCI to visit Uzbekistan and explore investment opportunities in Bukhara, Sirdarya, Surkhondarya, and Kashkadarya. He assured full support from the Uzbek Embassy in facilitating government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) contacts.
“Uzbekistan offers a safe, conducive, and liberal environment for investment,” he stated. He also welcomed the idea of holding B2B meetings alongside business delegation visits to materialise trade and investment prospects.
