Uzbek deputy PM to visit Pakistan on July 20-21 with business delegation

ISLAMABAD: Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev will travel to Pakistan on July 20 and 21 with a delegation of business leaders as the two countries move to deepen trade and economic cooperation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Wednesday.

The ministry said a preparatory meeting chaired by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema reviewed inter-ministerial coordination and finalised arrangements for the visit. Officials said the engagements are aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and commercial relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

According to the ministry, a five-year roadmap for trade and economic cooperation will be signed during the visit. The document is intended to serve as a broader framework for expanding bilateral trade, investment, connectivity and economic collaboration in the coming years. The ministry added that both sides had also reached consensus on several memorandums of understanding and agreements to be signed during the visit to promote cooperation in multiple sectors and open new opportunities for shared economic growth.

Preparations reviewed

The preparatory meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, the commerce secretary, the railways secretary, National Logistics Corporation Director General, senior officials of the Ministry of Communications and representatives of other relevant ministries. Participants briefed Cheema on progress made on the visit’s agenda and planned engagements.

A major part of the discussion focused on regional connectivity and trade facilitation. The railways secretary, the NLC director general and officials from the Ministry of Communications presented proposals aimed at improving the capacity and efficiency of trade routes linking Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

The ministry said the meeting held detailed discussions on road and rail links, transport corridors and logistics infrastructure to enable faster and more cost-effective movement of goods and support greater regional trade integration.

Business forum and key sectors

The meeting was informed that a business-to-business forum will be held during the visit, bringing together leading private-sector representatives from both countries. The ministry said more than 100 Uzbek companies are expected to take part, reflecting what it described as growing interest among Uzbek firms in investment, trade and joint venture opportunities in Pakistan.

Officials said agriculture, pharmaceuticals, industry, transport and logistics, along with other priority sectors, will be central to investment and commercial discussions. The ministry said both governments are committed to facilitating stronger public-private partnerships and widening economic cooperation.

The statement said participants expressed satisfaction over the preparations and voiced hope that the visit would mark another important step in the expanding partnership between the two countries. At the conclusion of the meeting, Cheema directed all relevant ministries and departments to maintain close coordination and complete arrangements on time, saying the visit offers an opportunity to deepen economic ties, improve connectivity, promote investment and realise untapped trade potential for both countries.