Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev is scheduled to visit Pakistan from July 20–21 to finalize a five-year roadmap for bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The visit, confirmed by the Pakistani Ministry of Economic Affairs, aims to strengthen regional connectivity and expand investment in sectors including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and logistics.
Strategic Roadmap and Trade Agreements
The core objective of the visit is the signing of a "Five-Year Roadmap for Trade and Economic Cooperation." According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, this framework is designed to provide a comprehensive framework to expand bilateral trade, investment, connectivity, and economic collaboration in the years ahead.
Ahead of the delegation’s arrival, Pakistani Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema led a preparatory meeting with senior officials, including Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and representatives from the National Logistics Corporation (NLC). The discussions focused on finalizing several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that are expected to be signed during the visit. These agreements target multi-sectoral cooperation to facilitate mutual economic growth.
Enhancing Regional Logistics and Connectivity
Improving trade routes remains a priority for both governments. During the preparatory briefings, the Ministry of Communications and the NLC presented proposals to enhance the efficiency of transport corridors connecting Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The strategy includes:
- Infrastructure Development: Improving both road and rail connectivity and developing transport corridors.
- Logistics Efficiency: Strengthening logistics infrastructure to facilitate faster, more cost-effective movement of goods.
- Trade Integration: Promoting regional trade integration.
Business-to-Business Engagement
A significant portion of the visit involves a Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum, which will connect private-sector leaders from both countries. The Ministry of Economic Affairs expects participation from over 100 Uzbek companies, signaling a growing interest of Uzbek businesses in exploring investment, trade, and joint venture opportunities in Pakistan.
The forum will focus on priority sectors identified for investment and commercial discussions:
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceuticals
- Industry
- Transport and Logistics
Context of Bilateral Economic Ties
By hosting the Uzbek delegation, the Pakistani government aims to translate high-level diplomatic consensus into concrete commercial projects.
Minister Ahad Cheema emphasized that the visit is intended to unlock the "vast trade potential" between the two nations, urging all involved departments to ensure seamless coordination for the implementation of the new agreements.
Worth a look