LAHORE: The LCCI president emphasised that despite deep historical and cultural ties, bilateral trade remains below potential and requires structured engagement through joint ventures, technology transfer and value-added industrial cooperation. He proposed collaboration in agro-processing, textile value chains and industrial partnerships to enhance productivity and competitiveness in both economies.
He also highlighted opportunities for educational cooperation through student exchange programmes, noting that Pakistani universities offer high-quality and affordable education in medicine, engineering, business and information technology. Saigol further informed the delegation that an Uzbekistan Visa Facilitation Center is fully operational at LCCI to assist Pakistani businessmen interested in exploring opportunities in Uzbekistan.
Addressing the forum, Governor MIRZAEV Zoir Toirovich said Uzbekistan has undergone significant economic transformation over the past decade through transparency policies and market reforms. He noted that more than 80,000 factories operate in the Tashkent region alone, including around 2,500 foreign-invested enterprises, while 22 joint ventures already exist with Pakistani partners.
He identified agriculture and livestock as priority areas, noting Uzbekistan’s growing demand for meat imports and expressing interest in cooperation with Pakistan in livestock production and processing. He said Uzbekistan produces nearly four million tons of cotton annually and invited collaboration with Pakistani industries in textile manufacturing and artificial fiber production to strengthen value chains.
The governor also highlighted strong opportunities in pharmaceuticals, stating that Uzbekistan currently produces only about 30 percent of its domestic pharmaceutical needs and imports the remaining 70 percent, creating significant space for Pakistani pharmaceutical exporters and investors. He further pointed to tourism cooperation, revealing that nearly 98,000 hectares of land in the Tashkent region have been allocated for tourism development, with multiple countries already investing in hotels and resorts.
He assured Pakistani investors of full government support, investment protection and attractive incentives within Uzbekistan’s special economic zones, emphasizing that the main objective of the visit was to establish direct business connections and long-term industrial cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev Khakimovich said relations between the two countries are entering a new phase driven by strong political trust and expanding economic engagement. He emphasized that business communities play the central role in transforming diplomatic goodwill into real investments, jobs and industrial projects.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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