LAHORE: Punjab and Uzbekistan have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in livestock, trade, investment, research, modern technology and institutional linkages as both sides sought to expand economic partnership, enhance food security and promote the sustainable development of the livestock sector.
The understanding was reached during a meeting at the Syndicate Hall of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, held in honour of a high-level governmental and business delegation from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, led by Chairman of the Council of Ministers Ermanov Farhod Urazbaevich.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Secretary Livestock Ahmed Aziz Tarar, Punjab Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Tuytaev Alisher Hakimovich, members of the Uzbek delegation, progressive farmers, investors, subject experts and senior officials.
Briefing the delegation, Ahmed Aziz Tarar said Punjab, Pakistan’s largest livestock-producing province, offers significant opportunities for investment and collaboration. He highlighted the province’s strengths in superior genetic breeds of buffaloes, cattle, sheep and goats, as well as advances in artificial insemination, embryo transfer technology, breed improvement, value addition and scientific research.
He said Pakistan was already exporting premium-quality meat to Uzbekistan and noted that both countries had considerable scope to expand cooperation in meat trade, exchange of superior genetic material, veterinary sciences, research, modern technologies and capacity building.
Ermanov Farhod Urazbaevich thanked the government of Punjab for its hospitality and said food security and livestock development remained among Uzbekistan’s national priorities. He said Uzbekistan was keen to establish a long-term partnership with Punjab in livestock, agriculture, trade, research and modern technologies.
He noted that Uzbekistan imports meat from several countries, including Pakistan, adding that around 4,000 metric tons of meat had recently been imported from Pakistan. He also expressed interest in importing high-genetic-potential beef breeds, female breeding animals and sheep to enhance the productivity and genetic quality of Uzbekistan’s livestock sector.
Members of the Uzbek delegation said they planned to initially import around 1,000 high-quality breeding animals and sought the Punjab government’s cooperation in facilitating the process. They also expressed interest in collaboration in beef and dairy farming, poultry production, breed improvement, farmer training, advanced production technologies and joint research with University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ahmed Aziz Tarar presented a commemorative souvenir to the visiting delegation on behalf of the Punjab Livestock Department.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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