Pakistan Eyes Expanded Trade and Investment Ties with Uzbekistan

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Industry and Production, Haroon Akhtar, has visited Uzbekistan this week, accompanied by officials from the State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the Ministry of Industry and Production.

During the visit, Akhtar held a meeting with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation, including transport connectivity, banking, trade, and commerce, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

He conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed the country’s readiness to promptly commence the Trans-Afghan Railway project.

As part of efforts to enhance trade and simplify banking operations, Pakistan announced plans to open a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan in Uzbekistan and to broaden the range of goods covered under the Preferential Trade Agreement. The discussions also covered opportunities for Pakistani investment in Uzbekistan, with a focus on the pharmaceutical sector.

Aripov warmly welcomed the delegation, extended greetings to Pakistan’s leadership, highlighted the importance of bilateral relations, and reviewed progress on key cooperation initiatives between the two nations.