Uzbek envoy calls for efforts to raise trade volume with Pakistan to $2 billion

A delegation from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by President Sardar Tahir Mehmood, visited the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad on Wednesday to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations.

The delegation, which also included Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub and Vice President Mohammad Irfan Chaudhry, was welcomed by the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Alisher Tukhtaev. 

During the meeting, Ambassador Tukhtaev emphasized the long-standing friendly relations between the two nations and highlighted the significant potential for expanding trade across sectors such as agriculture, textiles, sports goods, and surgical instruments.

He noted that the current trade volume between Pakistan and Uzbekistan stands at approximately $400–500 million, a figure well below its potential. 

The Ambassador called for efforts to increase this figure to at least $2 billion within the next few years. Uzbekistan, he pointed out, is one of Pakistan’s leading trade partners in Central Asia, with a steady flow of imports from Pakistan, including textiles, and exports to Pakistan, notably cotton yarn and fruits.

Connectivity was also a key point of discussion. The Ambassador revealed that Uzbekistan Airways plans to increase its weekly flights between Tashkent and Islamabad from one to two, a move that aims to enhance both passenger travel and business connections between the two countries.

ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood expressed Pakistan’s strong potential for trade, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. He stressed the importance of fostering closer ties with Uzbekistan through the Tashkent Chamber of Commerce and Industry, facilitating B2B engagements, and promoting joint ventures to bolster bilateral trade.

The meeting concluded with an invitation extended to Ambassador Tukhtaev to visit the ICCI, which he accepted, promising to explore further avenues for strengthening trade relations and business cooperation. Trade Counselor Alisher Duschanov, along with ICCI Vice Presidents Ayub and Chaudhry, also contributed to the discussions on enhancing trade prospects.