Strengthening ties: Uzbek delegation expresses interest in joint ventures

Pakistan could benefit by cooperating with resource-rich Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: A 10-member delegation of Uzbekistan businessmen, led by UzAgroSanoatmash Holding Deputy Chairman Nodir Atajanov, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and expressed keen interest in joint ventures and investment in Pakistan.

The delegation represented various sectors including agriculture machinery, power production, chemical and petrochemical, automobile, building and plastic material, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Atajanov said Uzbekistan was rich in natural resources including copper and gold and Pakistan could take benefit by improving cooperation with the Central Asian state.

Talking about the purpose of visit, he said they wished to explore possibilities of joint ventures and investment in areas of interest.



Atajanov expressed the hope that their visit would open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries. The delegation members gave a detailed presentation about their products.

ICCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said bilateral trade of about $24 million between Pakistan and Uzbekistan was quite low and serious efforts were needed to improve it.

He said agriculture, textile, energy, mineral resources, chemical, pharmaceutical, tourism and many other areas offered a good potential for cooperation between the two countries.

“CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) offers great investment opportunities to foreign investors,” Sheikh said, adding the participation of Uzbek investors in the historic project would contribute to regional development and prosperity.

The ICCI president stressed that Pakistan and Uzbekistan should focus on establishing direct railway and air links, which would go a long way in improving trade activities and people-to-people contacts.

He expressed the hope that the delegation’s visit and its interaction with the private sector would help identify new areas of mutual cooperation.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.

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