SIALKOT: The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Furqat Sidiqov has asked the Sialkot exporters to come forward and tap the untapped international trade and export markets of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian States through Uzbekistan for getting the complete benefits of the successfully growing businesses in Uzbekistan, as he offered some direct trade relations and strong business-to-business contacts between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He stated this while addressing an important meeting of the Sialkot exporters held at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Acting President of SCCI Muhammad Sarfraz Butt presided over the meeting. Uzbek Embassy officials Zafarbek Akhmedov (first secretary), Muzaffar Turaev (commercial and press attaché) and Hamid Mehmood (Country Representative of Uzbekistan Airline in Pakistan) were also present on this occasion.
Uzbek Ambassador invited the trade delegation of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to Uzbekistan.
He added that Uzbekistan is very keen to establish the stronger business-to-business contacts between the two countries besides strengthening the bilateral trade relations as well.
“Uzbekistan would ensure the easy access of the Sialkot exporters to the international trade markets of Uzbekistan and to other Central Asian States through Uzbekistan”, the ambassador revealed.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidiqov said that the Uzbekistan is intending to boost mutual economical cooperation with Pakistan. He stressed the need of promotion of strong mutual trade relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, saying that the Uzbekistan wanted to develop strong mutual trade relations with Pakistan.
Uzbek Ambassador discussed in details the matters of mutual interest with SCCI officials. He also gave a detailed briefing about the growing mutual trade opportunities in Uzbekistan and scope of joint ventures in different trade sectors between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
He said that Uzbekistan intending to promote the mutual trade activities between the two countries.
He also stressed upon the need of enhancing the private sector interaction and mutual collaboration crucially important to promote the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
While presenting address of welcome, Acting President SCCI Muhammad Sarfraz Butt said that there is huge scope for quality products of Sialkot to be exported to Uzbekistan. He stressed the need to exploit to the maximum through mutual cooperation.
Acting SCCI President added that indeed, both Uzbekistan and Pakistan have many common interests and objectives like: regional security and stability and countering threats of terrorism and extremism.
It is important that both Countries should focus on increasing bilateral trade as both can benefit from each other’s Expertise.
He said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan is relatively low and volume of trade between the two countries is over US $ 24 million. He said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan could increase mutual trade by US $ 300 million by utilizing each other’s expertise and creating effective linkages.
Muhammad Sarfraz Butt said that Pakistan is also keen to strengthen mutual trade ties with Uzbekistan through the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other connectivity projects which would ensure regional development and prosperity. On the other hand, Pakistani ports offer the shortest land route to Uzbekistan for access to the Arabian Sea which could be advantageous for both countries.
He firmly believed that both Pakistan and Uzbekistan could increase the mutual trade volume to manifolds by creating strong trade connections between business communities of both countries.
“We look forward to enhance the bilateral trade and interpersonal relations through creating effective linkages with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan. It is time that Uzbekistan and Pakistan’s relations are built on solid foundations. All we need to do is, to exploit opportunities for the common good of both countries” he narrated.
Acting SCCI President Muhammad Sarfraz Butt added that in order to exploit the true potential which both the friendly countries hold. He said that it is important for the business community on both sides to interact and create strong trading relationships.
He urged the Uzbek Ambassador to encourage and facilitate the business visitors to Uzbekistan from Sialkot-Pakistan.
He said that there were bright opportunities of setting up joint ventures between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in different trade fields, in this regard.
He vowed to make all out sincere efforts to boost mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, saying that the time was ripe to further strengthen these mutual trade ties between the two countries.
He also stressed upon the need of making some effective and positive steps for boosting and strengthening the mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, inviting the Pakistan business community to divert their business activities to Uzbekistan.
He pledged full support and technical assistance to ensure the easy access of Pakistan business community to international trade markets of Uzbekistan.