President of Uzbekistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan Participate in Joint Business Forum

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 6 February, as part of the official program of the state visit to Islamabad, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, together with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, took part in a joint business forum. The event brought together leaders and representatives of over 300 leading industrial enterprises, trading companies, sectoral organizations, and business associations from both countries.

Pakistani businesses at the forum were represented by companies including PEL, Waves Singer, Sadaqat, Fauji, Platinum, Fast Cables, National Fruit, Amson Group, Shaigan, Hans International, Secure Logistics Group, NLC, Fairmont, Go Dairy, Engro, Herbion, AGP, Arco, Habib Rafiq, Pakistan Steel Mills, Siddiq Sons, Uniworth, Diners, Fatima Group, Fateh Group, Hub Leather, Siddiq Leather, Royal Leather, Davis, Ahsan Dyeing, among many others.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized that the high-level negotiations mark a new stage in Uzbek-Pakistani relations, particularly in trade, economic, and investment cooperation. For the first time in the history of bilateral collaboration, a protocol was signed to elevate the quality of economic interaction and target a mutual trade volume of USD 2 billion. Officials from both countries have been tasked with developing a comprehensive roadmap and establishing a mechanism for the prompt resolution of arising issues.

The head of state highlighted key areas of economic partnership, including pharmaceuticals and medicine, light industry, mining and metallurgy, geology, and expanded cooperation in food security. Pakistani companies are invited to participate in projects for localizing the production of medicines, biotechnology, and medical equipment in Uzbekistan. Favorable conditions have been established for investors at the Tashkent Pharmaceutical Park.

Significant potential was noted for joint production of finished textile products for international brands. Uzbekistan is ready to place textile enterprises under trust management and create dedicated zones for leather industry development with Pakistani partners. Special attention is also given to the joint production of meat, potatoes, and rice, as well as collaboration with Pakistan’s National Institute of Genomics in seed production and breeding.

Strengthening transport and logistics connectivity was recognized as a crucial factor for further trade growth. Cargo transportation along the Pakistan–China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan route has already begun, air links to Lahore and Islamabad have been launched, and the Trans-Afghan railway project is underway. Starting in April 2026, cargo flights to Karachi and direct passenger flights to Lahore are planned.

To practically reinforce interregional contacts, the initiative to hold the first Regional Forum this year was supported.

At the conclusion of the forum, President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Sharif signed a separate protocol documenting the agreed actions, including implementation timelines and responsible officials from the ministries and agencies of both countries. A ceremony for the exchange of several investment and trade-economic agreements also took place in the presence of the leaders.