Latest news with #AlisherTukhtaev
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Corridor linking Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan dry ports with Pakistan seaports proposed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has suggested developing a trade corridor, linking Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan's dry ports with Pakistan's seaports via road and rail networks. During a meeting between Federal Minister Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, here on Thursday, various proposals to enhance mutual and regional cooperation were discussed. According to Pakistan's Maritime Minister this initiative, potentially unlocking over $20 billion in trade, would serve as a strategic artery for landlocked Central Asian economies, accelerating their access to the maritime domain. During the meeting both the delegations agreed to form a joint working group to deepening maritime cooperation, with a focus on unlocking the untapped potential of the blue economy, green shipping and creating a robust trans-regional trade architecture connecting Central Asia to the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, both sides emphasised the urgency of building sustainable maritime linkages to support shared economic growth, regional connectivity, and long-term prosperity through ocean-based industries. The meeting also discussed integrated logistics solutions bonded warehouses, multimodal transport systems, and smart port infrastructure as enablers of efficient cross-border trade. Synergy with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was recognised as vital for expanding Uzbekistan's reach to a $6 trillion regional market. Chaudhry stressed the importance of integrating Uzbekistan into maritime ecosystem through ports like Gwadar and Karachi offering cost-effective and efficient access to global markets. 'Uzbekistan can invest in improving road infrastructure and connectivity to Gwadar port underlining its commercial viability and alignment with global sustainability goals,' the minister suggested. The both sides explored avenues for joint ventures in key blue economy sectors, including marine fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, and coastal tourism, all poised to generate high returns in Gulf, African, and Southeast Asian markets. Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry extended an invitation to Uzbekistan to invest in Pakistan's port-based industries, shipbuilding, and renewable ocean energy initiatives. This engagement marks a significant step forward in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations, laying the groundwork for a long-term maritime partnership rooted in blue economy collaboration, innovation, and regional integration. Responding to the minister's proposal, both sides agreed to convene fast-track consultative meetings involving technical experts. These sessions will identify Uzbekistan's specific maritime needs and determine Pakistan's potential offerings to support them. Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry further proposed a trilateral collaboration between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan to enhance overland connectivity to Gwadar Port positioning it as a key gateway for Central Asian states through integrated road and rail networks. Uzbekistan's Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev expressed strong interest in launching joint ventures in the seafood sector, particularly in fisheries production. He also suggested the allocation of an off-dock terminal dedicated to Uzbek trade operations in Pakistan. The ambassador informed the minister that a delegation of Uzbek business leaders would soon visit Karachi to inspect port infrastructure and operations especially those related to the Marine Fisheries Department as part of efforts to deepen commercial cooperation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tashkent-Islamabad: Chambers, business leaders hail direct flight
ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) leadership and Chamber of Commerce's on Sunday felicitated the commencing of direct flight between the capital cities of Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The direct air link between Tashkent and Islamabad would prove to be a milestone in forging bilateral business and economic integration with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states, Senior Vice President of FPCCI ZAKI AIJAZ told APP here. The FPCCI leader said the direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad would increase the possibilities of economic cooperation between the two regional countries and two flights in a week from Tashkent, the industrial hub of Uzbekistan, to Islamabad, would help enhance economic activities between both sides. He said Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, H.E Alisher Tukhtaev , deserved appreciation for playing an important role in the launch of a direct air link between the two brotherly countries. Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) President, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said with the start of direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad the economic relations between the two countries would increase in the coming future. Bilwani said the business community of Karachi considered that the step would have a huge impact on economic and trade ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and Central Asian states. Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Mian Abuzar Sha said Uzbekistan is a significant Central Asian States in Central Asia and the direct flights between Islamabad and Tashkent would strengthen business relations between the two countries and all the credit in that regard to Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev. The President LCCI said that this is the second direct flight between the two countries, after the biweekly direct flights started between Tashkent and Lahore in this year, which is significant for regional connectivity. In addition to the new Islamabad route, Uzbekistan Airways currently operates biweekly direct flights to Lahore on Wednesdays and Fridays is a milestone in the history of both nations. President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rehan Naseem Bharara said besides trade relations, the direct flight link would also help in enhancing tourism and cultural ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. President FCCI said his chamber hailed the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad for commencing direct flights between both of the capital cities and also including its national airline Uzbekistan Airways. President of Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ayub Mariani termed the commencing of Tashkent and Islamabad direct flights an important development for promoting regional economic integration. President QCCI said such direct flights should be started between major cities of the two countries, including Quetta which had a historical connection with Central Asian states.
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Uzbekistan deepen tourism ties
Listen to article In a significant move to bolster bilateral ties and promote regional tourism, Pakistan and Uzbekistan held a high-level tourism engagement in Islamabad. The event brought together senior tourism officials, diplomats, and industry stakeholders from both countries. The Uzbek delegation was led by Umid Shadiev, Chairman of Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee, along with Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev. Senior officials from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and representatives from the local tourism sector participated on behalf of Pakistan. PTDC's managing director highlighted the shared historical and cultural heritage between the two nations, rooted in the ancient Silk Road. "Tourism is not just an exchange of money; it is an exchange of stories, experiences, and friendships," he noted, emphasising travel as a means to foster peace and collaboration. Discussions focused on leveraging tourism opportunities in both countriesfrom Uzbekistan's historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva to Pakistan's scenic north and archaeological sites like Mohenjo-Daro and the Shahi Fort. Prominent Pakistani tour operators were invited to explore Uzbekistan as a travel destination. The Uzbek delegation offered detailed insights into Uzbekistan's tourism offerings, covering cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Shadiev reaffirmed Uzbekistan's desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan. "Uzbekistan sees Pakistan not just as a neighbour, but as a trusted friend," he said, envisioning a tourism bridge connecting both nations. Actionable steps were outlined, including launching joint cultural festivals, promoting youth and media exchange programmes, and improving direct flight connectivity.
Express Tribune
13-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM seeks roadmap to increase Pak-Uzbek trade to $2bn
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the importance of creating a comprehensive roadmap to increase bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan to $2 billion as outlined by the leadership of both countries. In a meeting with Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, on Thursday, the prime minister emphasised Pakistan's eagerness to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in several sectors, including mining, railways, Special Economic Zones, banking, tourism, culture, and renewable energy. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the warm reception he received during his recent visit to Tashkent and conveyed his greetings to the Uzbek leader. He reiterated the success of the visit, which resulted in the formation of a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and the signing of several agreements and MOUs in various fields. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that he had instructed relevant ministers to promptly follow up on the outcomes of his discussions with the Uzbek leadership during his trip. Ambassador Tukhtaev conveyed President Mirziyoyev's commitment to enhancing Uzbekistan's ties with Pakistan and announced that the President had accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to visit Pakistan later this year, with the dates to be finalized between both sides.
Arab News
03-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Uzbekistan set $1 billion bilateral trade target, Uzbek envoy says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan have set a bilateral trade target of $1 billion, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, citing the Uzbek envoy to Islamabad. The development came nearly a week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Uzbekistan as part of Pakistan's economic diplomacy push to enhance trade and investment with landlocked Central Asian states. Pakistan is seeking to leverage its strategic position as a key trade and transit hub to connect Central Asia with global markets and since last year, there has been a flurry of high-level visits, investment discussions and other economic engagements between Islamabad and Central Asian republics. Both countries have lately been working toward optimizing cargo flows, establishing green corridors at border customs points, and digitalization of customs clearance processes to facilitate smoother trade operations. 'Pakistan and Uzbekistan are committed to achieve the target of bilateral trade volume worth one billion dollar,' Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan broadcaster. 'Specific measures were being taken to expand the export and import structure of food, textile, and electrical products.' The development comes as Pakistan treads a long path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program Islamabad secured in Sept. last year. Uzbekistan is the largest consumer market and the second-biggest economy in Central Asia. It is central to Pakistan's regional connectivity plans and was the first Central Asian nation with which Pakistani officials signed a bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) covering 17 items. Ambassador Tukhtaev said both countries were developing and diversifying cargo transportation routes for fast and convenient movement of goods, in cooperation with large transport and logistics companies, according to the report. 'Uzbekistan is interested in increasing the volume of agricultural exports to Pakistan, especially in the supply of fruits and vegetables, grain products, and textile products,' he said. 'At the same time, Pakistan's potential in the pharmaceutical, textile, construction materials and information technology sectors is also of great importance for the Uzbek market.' Pakistan and Uzbekistan have forged strong economic ties in recent years and a landmark moment in their relationship was the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership during the visit of a high-level Pakistani delegation to Uzbekistan on July 15-16, 2021. This was followed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Pakistan on March 3-4, 2022, which resulted in the signing of another Joint Declaration on Further Steps to Enhance the Strategic Partnership and multiple agreements covering trade, investment, and economic cooperation. In February 2023, Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a $1 billion trade deal to enhance bilateral commerce, facilitating the exchange of goods and services. Last month, Ambassador Tukhtaev also announced plans to launch direct flights between Uzbekistan and Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi.
