By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE, March 11: Governor of Tashkent Region MIRZAEV Zoir Toirovich on Wednesday stressed the need to significantly expand economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, stating that the current bilateral trade volume of $445.8 million does not reflect the true potential of the two friendly countries and calling for stronger partnerships in agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, tourism, logistics and industrial investment.
He said Uzbekistan’s economy has maintained steady growth of around six percent annually, foreign investment continues to rise, and special economic zones across the country are offering attractive incentives and secure opportunities for international investors, including Pakistani businesses seeking expansion into Central Asia.
Governor MIRZAEV Zoir Toirovich was addressing a business forum at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the visit of a 20-member high-level official delegation from Uzbekistan led by him. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev Khakimovich accompanied the delegation.
LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol welcomed the delegation and termed the visit an important step toward strengthening institutional and business linkages between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar, and Executive Committee Members Firdous Nisar, Rana Shouban Akhtar, Rana Muhammad Nisar, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aamir Ali, Chaudhry Mohsin Bashir, Syed Hasan Raza and Waqas Aslam and Ali Imran were also present.
The visiting delegation included Governor of Akhangaran District Bahromjon Turaevich, Governor of Kuyichirchik District Akmal Arslanovich, Head of the Territorial Department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tashkent Region Abdurasul Abdurashidovich, Deputy Head of Investments, Industry and Trade Umid Ubaydullaev, Advisor to the Governor for Development of Local Industry Dilshod Azadovich Rasulov, Assistant to the Governor Hurshid Nuritdin and representatives of leading Uzbek enterprises from multiple industrial sectors.
In his welcome address, LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol said Uzbekistan has emerged as one of Central Asia’s most promising economies with imports exceeding $35 billion, presenting vast opportunities for Pakistani exporters and investors. He noted that the sectors represented by the Uzbek delegation — including livestock, dairy production, rice cultivation, textiles, leather, wool processing, construction materials, sports goods and medical equipment — closely match Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural strengths, creating natural grounds for collaboration.
He highlighted Pakistan’s export potential, stating that rice exports during 2024-25 reached approximately $3.3 billion while textiles, the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, recorded exports of around $18 billion. He added that Pakistan’s livestock sector contributes nearly 15 percent to GDP, with milk production exceeding 72 million tonnes, offering strong prospects for cooperation in dairy processing, livestock development and agricultural technologies.
The LCCI president emphasized that despite deep historical and cultural ties, bilateral trade remains below potential and requires structured engagement through joint ventures, technology transfer and value-added industrial cooperation. He proposed collaboration in agro-processing, textile value chains and industrial partnerships to enhance productivity and competitiveness in both economies.
He also highlighted opportunities for educational cooperation through student exchange programs, noting that Pakistani universities offer high-quality and affordable education in medicine, engineering, business and information technology. Saigol further informed the delegation that an Uzbekistan Visa Facilitation Center is fully operational at LCCI to assist Pakistani businessmen interested in exploring opportunities in Uzbekistan.
Addressing the forum, Governor MIRZAEV Zoir Toirovich said Uzbekistan has undergone significant economic transformation over the past decade through transparency policies and market reforms. He noted that more than 80,000 factories operate in the Tashkent region alone, including around 2,500 foreign-invested enterprises, while 22 joint ventures already exist with Pakistani partners.
He identified agriculture and livestock as priority areas, noting Uzbekistan’s growing demand for meat imports and expressing interest in cooperation with Pakistan in livestock production and processing. He said Uzbekistan produces nearly four million tons of cotton annually and invited collaboration with Pakistani industries in textile manufacturing and artificial fiber production to strengthen value chains.
The governor also highlighted strong opportunities in pharmaceuticals, stating that Uzbekistan currently produces only about 30 percent of its domestic pharmaceutical needs and imports the remaining 70 percent, creating significant space for Pakistani pharmaceutical exporters and investors. He further pointed to tourism cooperation, revealing that nearly 98,000 hectares of land in the Tashkent region have been allocated for tourism development, with multiple countries already investing in hotels and resorts.
He assured Pakistani investors of full government support, investment protection and attractive incentives within Uzbekistan’s special economic zones, emphasizing that the main objective of the visit was to establish direct business connections and long-term industrial cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev Khakimovich said relations between the two countries are entering a new phase driven by strong political trust and expanding economic engagement. He emphasized that business communities play the central role in transforming diplomatic goodwill into real investments, jobs and industrial projects.
The ambassador described Uzbekistan as a strategic gateway to Central Asia’s market of over 80 million people, while Pakistan provides access to a consumer market exceeding 250 million and vital connectivity to seaports including Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar. He highlighted ongoing economic reforms in Uzbekistan aimed at improving ease of doing business, expanding industrial zones and supporting private sector growth.
He also underscored improving connectivity between the two countries, noting that direct flights between Uzbekistan and Pakistan have increased significantly, with additional direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore scheduled to begin soon and new routes to Karachi planned. He said the proposed Trans-Afghan Railway project could transform regional trade by linking Central Asia with Pakistani ports.
The ambassador added that Uzbekistan has simplified visa procedures for Pakistani citizens and invited businessmen to establish joint ventures, emphasizing the country’s rapid economic growth, expanding foreign investment inflows and competitive energy and infrastructure costs.
The event concluded with detailed presentations on the economic potential of the Tashkent region followed by B2B meetings between Pakistani and Uzbek companies aimed at exploring trade partnerships, investment opportunities and long-term economic collaboration, marking another step forward in strengthening Pakistan-Uzbekistan economic relations.
