Following the negotiations between the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who is on an official visit to Tashkent, a package of bilateral agreements was adopted, Gazeta.uz reports.
During the talks, it was emphasized that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Pakistan exceeded $400 million in 2024, while the number of joint ventures reached 130. This was reported by the press service of the President of Uzbekistan following the negotiations. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation and highlighted the importance of increasing trade turnover to $2 billion in accordance with the adopted "roadmap."
Economic ties between the two countries have been strengthening each year. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Pakistan grew from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023, indicating an expansion of trade and economic partnership. Particular attention was given to transport logistics. In recent years, cargo volumes transported through the multimodal corridor "Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan" have increased fivefold. To further boost transit flows, a decision was made to establish a joint transport and logistics company.
As a result of the negotiations, several important agreements were signed.
The parties signed a joint declaration and a protocol on the establishment of a Bilateral Strategic Partnership Council at the highest level, aimed at "further developing and strengthening Uzbek-Pakistani relations through multifaceted cooperation," according to the statement.
In the presence of the leaders of both countries, a number of documents signed during the Pakistani Prime Minister's visit were exchanged, including:
- An agreement on cooperation in science, technology, and innovation;
- An agreement on visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders;
- An agreement on cooperation between the ministries of internal affairs;
- An agreement on cooperation in vocational education;
- An agreement on cooperation in youth policy;
- An agreement on cooperation between national news agencies;
- Agreements and arrangements on cooperation between diplomatic academies, as well as between the cities of Tashkent and Lahore, among others.
On February 26, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Shehbaz Sharif also held negotiations in a restricted format and with the participation of official delegations. As a result, the parties agreed to increase trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Pakistan to $2 billion and to establish a joint transport and logistics company.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 26, 2025