Uzbekistan and Pakistan Agree to Further Expand Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev held a meeting with Sajid Amin, Director General of Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The meeting was also attended by representatives of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SIFC officials responsible for investment and industrial projects, as well as heads of other relevant government agencies.

The discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, addressing existing challenges in the transport and logistics sector, and implementing joint investment projects. In particular, the participants discussed the sharp decline in bilateral trade volumes following the closure of the traditional transport corridor between the two countries, as well as possible ways to address this issue.

An initiative was put forward to establish a dedicated trade and transit corridor along the Peshawar–Torkham route, through Afghan territory, extending to the city of Termez. It was also proposed that cargo transportation along this route be carried out under special monitoring and control mechanisms.

To facilitate practical discussions on this proposal, it was suggested that online negotiations be organized with the participation of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, and relevant Pakistani agencies.

The Pakistani side noted that the current restrictions stem from the prevailing security situation and described Uzbekistan’s proposal to establish a dedicated transit corridor as a practical and feasible initiative.

The meeting also addressed the involvement of major Pakistani real estate development and construction companies in the New Tashkent project, as well as efforts to ensure the participation of representatives of Pakistan’s business community in the international business forum titled “New Uzbekistan: At the Crossroads of Global Markets”, scheduled to take place in Tashkent later this year.

The Pakistani side was provided with detailed information on the investment opportunities offered by the New Tashkent project and the favourable conditions created for foreign investors.

The SIFC leadership expressed its support for these initiatives and confirmed its readiness to provide practical assistance in attracting financially capable and reputable Pakistani companies to the New Tashkent project and the international business forum.

Furthermore, the discussions placed particular emphasis on establishing production and logistics facilities for Uzbek companies in Pakistan, ensuring the participation of an Uzbek delegation in the international food and agriculture exhibition “FoodAg-2026”, scheduled to be held in Karachi, strengthening ties between the central banks of the two countries, and encouraging Pakistani airlines to launch regular flights to Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.