ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Monday agreed to accelerate institutional mechanisms aimed at reaching a bilateral trade target of $2 billion, as both countries push to strengthen regional transport corridors, air connectivity and business cooperation.
The decisions were taken during the 10th session of the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation held in Islamabad.
The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.
Officials said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade volumes while improving logistics, customs digitalisation and transit cooperation to support smoother cross-border commerce.
Pakistan is seeking to position itself as a regional transit hub linking South Asia with landlocked Central Asia, while Uzbekistan aims to diversify export routes and deepen economic engagement with regional partners.
According to Pakistan’s Press Information Department, the two countries agreed to advance work on alternative transport corridors, explore direct air services, and strengthen business-to-business engagement through improved visa facilitation.
The commission also approved the creation of a joint working group on labour relations, focusing on workforce mobility, skills development and employment-related coordination.
Beyond trade and transport, both sides agreed to broaden cooperation in information technology, telecommunications, small and medium enterprises, banking, finance and industrial partnerships. Plans were also outlined for joint research initiatives, vocational training and academic exchanges.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan further agreed to hold the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission in Tashkent, with dates to be finalised through diplomatic channels.
Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s largest consumer market, plays a key role in Pakistan’s regional connectivity strategy as Islamabad seeks to diversify trade routes and expand economic ties with Central Asian states.
