Pakistan and Uzbekistan have underscored the need for greater communication network to realise trade potential between the two countries and agreed to enhance the bilateral trade up to $ 300 million for a greater economic partnership between the two counties. The understanding was reached during the visiting deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev's meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
The visiting deputy Uzbek prime minister and his delegation called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM House after holding delegation level talks with Foreign Minister Qureshi at Foreign Office on Monday. According to media office of the PM House, Prime Minister Khan highlighted the historic and cultural bonds between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and underscored the importance of closer trade, economic and energy links between the two countries.
He also recalled his interaction with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing in April 2019 that focused on bilateral relations and connectivity. The Uzbek Deputy prime minister conveyed warm greetings of the Uzbek president and gave a detailed briefing on the transport railway corridor Uzbekistan-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar.
Appreciating the briefing, the Prime Minister agreed that the railway link will not only benefit Pakistan, Afghanistan and CARs but will also enhance connectivity of the region with China, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Europe. Prime Minister Khan also stressed the importance of reinforcing political, economic, energy and cultural collaboration between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, as part of Pakistan's vision for deeper engagement in Central Asia.
Earlier, according to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, the two sides held delegation level talks in which Pakistan's side was led by Foreign Minister Qureshi and the visiting deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan led his country's delegation. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, enhancement in bilateral cooperation in trade and economy and on important issues of mutual interest, regional and international affairs.
The two sides also reviewed the progress on the decisions previously made at the highest level meeting by the leadership of the two countries. "Both the countries agreed to enhance the bilateral trade up to $ 300 million," he added. Foreign Minister Qureshi, while speaking on the occasion, said the visit of the Uzbek deputy prime minister will impart further impetus to the multidimensional cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in diverse fields.
He also hoped it will reinforce Pakistan's bilateral ties with Uzbekistan, contribute to building a closer economic partnership, and enhance possibilities for regional connectivity. "Pakistan desires to further enhance linkages with Central Asian countries," Qureshi said. The visiting Uzbek deputy prime minister expressed the hope that bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields between Pakistan and Uzbekistan will pave the way for a greater economic partnership between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also hosted the visiting deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan and his delegation for Iftar dinner at the Foreign Office. The deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan, earlier, arrived here on Monday morning for a two-day visit. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the deputy ministers for investment and foreign trade and transport, and other senior officials during the visit.
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