Pakistan and Uzbekistan have great potential for developing mutual trade
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtayev noted that there is great potential for increasing trade and investment between the two countries through the creation of joint ventures, in particular for the development of the textile industry.
During his visit to the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Uzbekistan’s Ambassador invited representatives of the country’s textile companies to study the demand for high-quality products in Uzbekistan. He noted that Uzbekistan’s cheap energy and rich cotton reserves create attractive opportunities for Pakistani investors to develop trade and investment in the Uzbekistan market.
The Ambassador recalled that the two countries have signed several memoranda of understanding and agreements aimed at facilitating market access. Thanks to direct flights, the flight time was reduced by 90 minutes. Negotiations on a trilateral transit trade agreement involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan have entered a crucial phase. After reaching an agreement, trade flows will accelerate even more. Uzbekistan’s shopping malls have been opened in Karachi and Lahore. The next such center will be opened in Islamabad.
As A. Tukhtayev noted, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are “fraternal countries, not competitors”, so it is necessary to share resources, knowledge, and experience for mutual benefit. He invited the APTMA delegation to visit Uzbekistan, take part in exhibitions and conferences, and added that other trade delegations will visit this fraternal country in the coming months.
APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad highlighted several existing problems in mutual trade, including the lack of official banking channels, delays in signing the free trade agreement, language barriers in labeling, issues with the Afghan transit route, and the slow construction pace of the Trans-Afghan Railway. He emphasized the importance of strengthening banking relations, concluding a free trade agreement as soon as possible, and establishing a regular exchange of trade delegations to realize the existing potential fully.
Another participant of the meeting, Asad Shafi, informed the delegation about the possibilities of Pakistan’s textile industry, noting that, despite centuries-old ties, the current volume of bilateral trade is only $125 million. He emphasized that his country aims to boost textile exports to $50 billion under the Sewing Revolution project and urged Uzbekistan to cooperate actively in this endeavor.
Muharrama Pirmatova, UzA
International Tourism Fair “Umrah Plus” held in Almaty
On the initiative of the “Umrah Plus” International Tourism Association and with the assistance of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan and the General Consulate of our country in Almaty, an international tourism fair was held in the city of Almaty, reports Dunyo IA.
Event was organized to develop pilgrimage tourism between the Central Asian states, expand international cooperation in the tourism sector, attract foreign tourists and pilgrims to Uzbekistan, as well as form new tourist routes within the framework of the “Umrah Plus” program.
Fair was attended by about 50 foreign partners and around 600 representatives of the tourism industry from the Central Asian states. Representatives of the consular offices of Uzbekistan, India, Afghanistan, and Belarus located in Almaty also took part in the event. During the meeting, an exchange of views on key areas of cooperation in the field of international tourism took place.
Within the framework of the event, negotiations were held between the “Umrah Plus” International Tourism Association and leading tour operators of the Central Asian states. Following the talks, agreements were reached on organizing trips to Uzbekistan for about 10,000 pilgrims under the “Umrah Plus” program by the end of 2026.
Agreements reached will contribute to promoting the pilgrimage tourism potential of Uzbekistan at the international level, increasing the export of tourism services, further strengthening practical cooperation with Central Asian countries in the field of tourism, as well as increasing the flow of foreign pilgrims to our country.
Holding the international tourism fair in Almaty is of significant importance for strengthening Uzbekistan's position as one of the centers of pilgrimage tourism in Central Asia and establishing new partnerships with foreign tour operators.
At the conclusion of the event, representatives of the General Consulate of Uzbekistan presented the active participants and partners with commemorative gifts of the “Umrah Plus” international tourism fair.
