Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has underscored that constructive interaction at the top leadership level has given a positive momentum to our bilateral relations with Uzbekistan which must be continued and strengthened.

He expressed this during a meeting with a delegation of Uzbekistan headed by Khodjaev Jamshid Abdukhakimovich, Deputy Prime Minister in Islamabad on Monday.

He highlighted the potential of cooperation in economic and investment sectors and expressed desire of the Government to further strengthen and diversify bilateral trade and economic linkages between the two countries.

Khodjaev Jamshid Abdukhakimovich, Deputy Prime/Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan acknowledged the friendly and cooperative relations with Pakistan. He exchanged views to extend bilateral economic and trade relations with Pakistan and showed keen interest to establish road and rail link between the two countries through Afghanistan.

The two sides discussed various avenues of cooperation to deepen the trade and economic partnership between the two countries including improvement of road infrastructure from Tashkent to Pakistan, Pakistan- Afghanistan- Uzbekistan Rail link, export/import facilitation. The two sides agreed to enhance the current trade volume between both the countries at optimal level. The Uzbek side also sought technical support of Pakistan for its inclusion in WTO and getting GSP+ status.

The two sides also expressed confidence that scheduled meeting of Joint Inter Governmental Commission in February, 2023 in Pakistan will further enhance bilateral economic cooperation and investment to the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Federal Minister for National food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Governor SBP Jamil Ahmed, Federal secretaries and senior officers attended the meeting.

Source: Radio Pakistan