In an important step toward strengthening regional economic cooperation, Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, signed a protocol and Memorandum of Understanding on e-commerce at the 9th Session of the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Inter-Governmental Commission held in Tashkent on November 4, 2024.
According to Pakistan’s commerce ministry, representatives from over two dozen Pakistani companies and more than one hundred Uzbek enterprises gathered at the Uzbek-Pakistani Business Forum to discuss potential collaborations across a range of sectors, including textiles, food processing, engineering, and logistics.
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister highlighted Pakistan’s business-friendly environment, encouraging Uzbek companies to invest in collaborative projects. “Such forums pave the way for stronger commercial ties and support regional economic stability,” he noted. Uzbek Minister Laziz Kudratov echoed these sentiments, expressing his country’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
This development is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to improve regional connectivity by offering Central Asian states access to its warm water ports and inviting them to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with China committing around $65 billion to infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan.
Following a recent economic crisis, Pakistan continues to seek stronger ties with international and regional allies to support its $350 billion economy. This collaborative initiative with Uzbekistan marks another step toward revitalizing economic stability in the region.
