Economy, transport, technology and human capital are strategic directions of Uzbek-Pakistani cooperation

Uzbekistan and Pakistan are located in a single geo-economic space of Central and South Asia, saidChief Researcher at the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISRS) Umarbek Nuriddinovspeaking on January 23 at a round table on the topic “Uzbekistan - Pakistan: establishing ties between regions and creating new opportunities.”

The event was organized by the International Institute of Central Asia jointly with the Embassy of Pakistan in Tashkent. Representatives of government agencies, leading think tanks, research and educational institutions of the two countries took part in its work.

During the round table, special attention was paid to discussing current issues of Uzbek-Pakistan interaction, as well as promising areas of cooperation
in trade and economics, transport, energy
and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

As the representative of ISMR noted, “the international environment is going through a period of profound transformations, characterized by growing global uncertainty, fragmentation of supply chains, increased protectionism and sanctions regimes,
as well as the growing climatic and resource challenges that are forming a fundamentally new geo-economic reality.”

In these conditions, according to him, the key factors of competitiveness for developing countries are the quality of economic growth, diversification, resistance to external shocks and the ability to integrate into new regional
and interregional economic configurations.

In this context, the expert especially emphasized the relevance of forming a single regional economic space and building sustainable models of mutually beneficial partnership.

It was stated that Uzbekistan and Pakistan are located
in a single geo-economic space of Central and South Asia and have significant economic, raw materials, transit and human potential.

At the same time, as Umarbek Nuriddinov said, “both countries face similar structural challenges, including dependence on raw materials and semi-finished export models, a technological gap, the need to diversify the economy and increasing pressure on the labor market.”

In his opinion, it is the commonality of these calls
in combination with existing geostrategic advantages, objectively dictates the need to consolidate potential
and deepening economic interaction.

In this regard, the expert identified a number of interrelated strategic areas of cooperation.

Firstly,in the context of rising logistics costs
and the instability of traditional routes, transport connectivity is acquiring key importance as a factor in the diversification of foreign economic relations. In this context, the need to intensify joint efforts to develop transport and logistics corridors as a basic element of economic security and foreign economic sustainability was emphasized.

Secondly,economic cooperation should be focused not only on increasing trade volumes, but also on the formation of joint value chains.

Agriculture and the agro-industrial complex, textile and food industries, the mining sector, the production of building materials, pharmaceuticals, and the banking and financial sector were identified as priority areas. The importance of implementing joint industrial projects with high added value, creating agricultural clusters and industrial parks, as well as introducing modern technological solutions was noted.

Thirdly,in the context of global competition for technology, cooperation in the field of information technology is acquiring strategic importance.

It was stated that both countries have significant human capital, formed primarily by the young population, actively mastering digital competencies. In this regard, the feasibility of implementing joint projects in the field of software, digital platforms, e-commerce and innovative services was emphasized.

Fourth,the demographic structure of Uzbekistan
and Pakistan forms significant potential for deepening cooperation in the field of education, training and retraining of personnel. “From a strategic perspective, this contributes to the formation of a sustainable personnel base for industrial
and technological cooperation, strengthens the interdependence of economies and creates preconditions for long-term growth
their competitiveness,” says the ISMI representative.

In conclusion, Umarbek Nuriddinov noted that “deepening cooperation in the fields of economics, technology and human capital meets the long-term interests of Uzbekistan
and Pakistan and is in line with the current global environment.” According to him, such interaction makes it possible to unlock untapped potential, increase the stability of national economies, and also creates mutual interest in stability, predictability and sustainable development of the regional environment.

IA "Dunyo",

Tashkent