Sign several agreements to strengthen cooperation; Joint working group to formulate an action plan
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif receive Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Nur Khan base in Rawalpindi. Photo: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $2 billion over the next five years.
In this regard, a protocol to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries was signed in Islamabad by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The two countries also signed a number of agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, including defense, agriculture, trade, industry, culture, education, disaster management, pharmaceuticals and others.
Under the protocol, the two sides will form a joint working group to formulate an action plan to identify sectors to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation through mutual consultations.
The two leaders attended the ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House, during which ministers and officials from both sides exchanged documents of the agreements.
Among the key agreements, a memorandum of understanding between the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan and the Uzbek Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency was signed to strengthen cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals and regulatory functions.
A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of sports and physical culture was signed between the Sports Council of Pakistan and the Ministry of Sports of Uzbekistan.
To strengthen trade relations, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Uzbekistan Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov signed a protocol on expanding the list of goods under the preferential trade agreement, as well as an agreement for the establishment of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum, aimed at strengthening regional and business-to-business cooperation.
In the defense sector, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Uzbek Defense Minister Shukhrat Khalmukhammedov signed an action plan for defense cooperation. The two sides also concluded a memorandum of understanding in the areas of ecology, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as a memorandum of understanding on mutual cooperation in disaster management, highlighting growing collaboration in non-traditional security areas.
An agreement on cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors was signed between the Government of Pakistan and the Government of Uzbekistan. The document was signed by State Minister of Interior Talal Chaudhary on behalf of Pakistan and Abdulaziz Kamilov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy, representing the Uzbek side.
In the field of information technology and digital cooperation, a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications of Pakistan and the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan was signed by Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov. The agreement aims to promote collaboration in digital infrastructure, innovation and technological exchange.
In the field of agriculture and food security, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of National Food Security and Research of Pakistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. Additional protocols were also concluded on phytosanitary and phytosanitary requirements for agricultural exports.
In the area of trade facilitation and maritime cooperation, a memorandum of understanding was signed to promote maritime trade and preferential port agreements in Karachi, Gwadar and Qasim ports.
Agreements were also signed to promote industrial cooperation and small and medium-sized businesses.
Several MoUs have focused on culture, heritage and education, including agreements on the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and cooperation between national heritage and culture institutions.
The two sides also signed memorandums of understanding between academic and research institutions, including the University of Peshawar and the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, and between leading strategic and regional studies institutes of the two countries.
Agreements were also reached to strengthen municipal and trade cooperation, including partnerships between the municipal administrations of Peshawar and Termez, Islamabad and Samarkand, and the establishment of a joint Uzbekistan-Pakistan trade council between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and its Uzbek counterpart.
Visit to the GIDS
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and senior ministers paid an official visit to Global Industrial and Defense Solutions (GIDS) as part of his official tour to Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir warmly welcomed the President and the delegation and led them on the tour of the installation, said a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
During the visit, the President was briefed on GIDS’ diverse portfolio, comprising advanced defense solutions, industrial capabilities and technological innovations.
The delegation visited key installations and viewed various defense products reflecting Pakistan’s growing expertise in defense production and local industrial development.
PhD
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Thursday awarded the honorary doctorate of philosophy and professorship to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and contributions to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
(With additional input from News Desk)
