The visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Islamabad served as the basis for the development of an economic cooperation program, as reported by the press service of the head of state.
The main topic of negotiations with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, was trade and economic relations. This visit was particularly significant as it coincided with the five-year anniversary of strategic partnership between the two countries.
Over the past five years, trade volume between the states has increased by 2.5 times, reaching about $500 million, while the number of joint ventures has nearly tripled. One of the immediate tasks is to increase trade turnover to $2 billion. To achieve this, the parties intend to significantly expand the range of goods under the preferential trade agreement and make more active use of Uzbekistan's trade houses in Lahore and Karachi.
It was also decided to create an Uzbek-Pakistani Business Council, which should contribute to strengthening ties between businessmen of the two countries.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to issues of transport and logistics development. The necessity of accelerating the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway and advancing the transport corridor Pakistan — China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan was raised.
The leaders of the two countries noted that interaction at the regional level could become an important factor in strengthening economic cooperation. In this regard, a joint Forum of Regions will be organized in the near future, with the first meeting taking place in the Khorezm region this year.
The negotiations also discussed aspects of cultural cooperation, including the development of pilgrimage tourism. To bring the peoples closer together, it is planned to hold Uzbekistan Culture Weeks and Uzbek Cinema Days in Pakistan, as well as to create a cultural center in Lahore dedicated to the heritage of the Baburid dynasty.
Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to Sharif for naming one of the streets in Islamabad "Tashkent." In turn, he announced the establishment of a park in Islamabad in honor of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, which will be a gift for the Pakistani people to celebrate independence.
Additionally, during Mirziyoyev's visit to Islamabad, a ceremony was held where the Uzbek leader was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor and Professor of the National University of Science and Technology of Pakistan.
As a result of the meeting, a Joint Declaration and about 30 documents were signed concerning key areas of cooperation, including:
- Agreement on cooperation in port services and provision of discounts;
- Agreement on cooperation in the field of mining and geology;
- Agreement on cooperation in digital and information technologies;
- Agreement on cooperation in radiation and nuclear safety;
- Agreement on cooperation in combating corruption;
- "Roadmap" between the defense ministries of the two countries.
