ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said Pakistan needs to diversify its exports to Uzbekistan by including manufactured goods, finished products, pharmaceuticals and services.
Talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Uzbekistan, Syed Ali Asad Gilani, on Tuesday, Dr Arif Alvi emphasized further strengthening Pakistan’s relations with Uzbekistan in all areas of mutual interest, including trade, economy, politics and culture.
The president said it was essential to build political, economic and cultural relations with Uzbekistan and interact closely on issues of bilateral importance, regional developments and international cooperation, especially through the exchange of high-level visits, parliamentary exchanges and ministerial interactions.
The president asked the ambassador-designate to put in his best efforts to promote economic and trade ties between the two countries so that exports to Uzbekistan can be increased.
The president highlighted that parliamentary cooperation was highly essential to further deepen bilateral relations and stressed the need for promoting parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
Earlier, the government of Uzbekistan had agreed to maintain a 25 percent growth in bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
A press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce said during a video conference held between the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood and Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Sardor Umurzakov, both sides were agreed to maintain a 25 percent growth in bilateral trade.
The statement further said Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan, Furqat Sidikov, also joined the meeting in the Ministry of Commerce. During the meeting, the officials were agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing the ‘Joint Working Group Trade and Investment’.
Abdul Razak Dawood said the agreement would be ready for signature after seeking approval from the cabinet of Pakistan. During the meeting, both sides expressed the wish to improve trade relations between the two countries.
Both the countries have resolved that all-out efforts would be made to increase Bilateral Trade relations, establishing Joint Ventures in the fields of agriculture, mangoes, potatoes and fruits and vegetables, textile, pharma, tourism and construction, the statement read.
