Pakistan and Uzbekistan Aim to Boost Trade to $2 Billion

Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to deepen economic cooperation and expand bilateral trade, with both sides agreeing to accelerate efforts to reach a trade target of $2 billion.

The understanding was reached during the 10th session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation, held in Islamabad under the co-chairmanship of Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, and Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan.

Officials said the session reviewed progress since the previous meeting in 2025 and laid out a forward-looking roadmap covering trade, investment, transport, agriculture, energy and technology cooperation.

Both sides underscored the importance of the Preferential Trade Agreement and welcomed progress under Phase II concessions. The commission agreed to expedite institutional mechanisms to boost trade volumes, with a focus on trade facilitation, logistics improvement, customs digitalization and enhanced transit trade cooperation.

The two countries also agreed to improve regional connectivity through alternative transport corridors. Discussions included the launch of direct air services, progress on regional railway projects and stronger coordination on transit and logistics to support regional trade.

In a key development, Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on labour relations. The group will address labour mobility, skills development, workplace safety and employment visa-related issues.

Agriculture and food security cooperation featured prominently during the talks. Both sides welcomed progress on phytosanitary protocols that have enabled the export of fruits from Uzbekistan to Pakistan. It was agreed to expand cooperation through additional protocols, joint working groups and technical collaboration in plant protection, livestock development and agricultural research.

The commission also reviewed cooperation in higher education, science and technology. Officials agreed to promote joint research, faculty and student exchanges, vocational training and innovation, supported by recently signed agreements in scientific and technical fields.

Environmental and climate cooperation was identified as a shared priority. Both sides agreed to work together on climate resilience, protection of glacial ecosystems, sustainable water management, environmental governance and community based adaptation initiatives.

In the pharmaceutical sector, the two countries agreed to strengthen regulatory cooperation, encourage joint ventures, facilitate exchanges between manufacturers and enhance capacity building to ensure quality and safety standards.

Cooperation was also advanced in energy, minerals, information technology, telecommunications, small and medium enterprises, industry, banking and finance, with a focus on digitalization, innovation, institutional strengthening and private sector participation.

In their remarks, Haroon Akhtar Khan and Laziz Kudratov stressed the need to translate political goodwill into tangible economic outcomes. They expressed confidence that the decisions taken would deepen institutional linkages and support sustainable growth in both countries.

Both sides agreed to hold the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Commission in Tashkent on dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.