PAKISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN SEEK FOUR-FOLD INCREASE IN ANNUAL TRADE

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday agreed to increase their annual trade four-fold to US$2 billion as the two countries signed several agreements to deepen bilateral ties.

After a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that both sides had agreed to raise annual trade from US$400 million to US$2 billion.

Mirziyoyev described Pakistan as a trusted partner and promising ally whose international reputation is steadily growing.

"Despite the current global challenges, the honourable prime minister is carrying out tremendous work to ensure peace and stability, improve the living standards of the population and accelerate economic growth," the Uzbekistan president said while jointly addressing the media.

The two leaders highlighted a common past and centuries-old religious and cultural heritage.

They discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, regional connectivity, manufacturing, tourism and sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles and mining.

One of the key projects they discussed was the proposed railway link via Afghanistan.

They also agreed to increase air links with new flights planned between Pakistan's largest city Karachi and the landlocked Uzbekistan's Samarkand and Bukhara cities.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have set up a high-level strategic council to take their relations forward across various fields.

-- BERNAMA