ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtayev on Thursday stated that direct flights between Uzbekistan and Pakistan would resume on November 29 (tomorrow) for enhancing regional integration. This flight, connecting the towns of Tashkent and Lahore, targets to similarly enhance bilateral cooperation between the 2 nations, take exchange and financial family members to a brand new degree, and facilitate vacationers. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtayev, advised APP right here. The ambassador stated that this super success might not have been feasible without the private initiative and unwavering guide of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He said, “Because of the leadership and strategic imaginative and prescient of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in view that September of this 12 months, Uzbekistan has resumed the issuance of traveler visas for citizens of brotherly Pakistan.” “This sensible selection has no longer only facilitated simpler travel between the people from both aspects but has additionally reinforced the bonds of friendship and created new opportunities for mutual expertise, enterprise collaboration, and those-to-people connections among two countries,” he stated. Uzbek envoy said, “Direct flights will create new possibilities for travelers and businessmen, and Uzbekistan will also serve as a completely unique hub for Pakistan’s citizens, which includes enterprise chamber representatives.” Ambassador Alisher Tukhtayev said, “The recuperation of everyday direct flights is not just about connecting Tashkent and Lahore; it’s far a strategic step to decorate the monetary and exchange connectivity and could sell cultural change among the two international locations.” “Uzbekistan has a rich cultural, historical, and herbal historical past that offers large tourism capacity,” he said. “We are excited to percentage the common historical heritage, beautiful traditions, and unique tourism opportunities with our Pakistani pals,” he added. Replying to a query on the future of bilateral change among the 2 international locations, he stated, “The future of trade and economic relations among Uzbekistan and Pakistan is promising, and there are untapped opportunities in specific sectors of the bilateral economy to further deepen beneficial cooperation.” “Today, our exchange relations are growing progressively,” he knowledgeable. He said, “In particular, over the last five years, the bilateral trade turnover has extended almost four times, and this figure amounted to $122 million in 2019 and is predicted to exceed $400 million through the quit of 2024.” The ambassador stated, “Pakistan has an interest within the Uzbek market with its agricultural products, food, textiles, and leather products, even as Uzbek business merchandise, culmination, and vegetables are in excessive call for in Pakistan.” Alisher Tukhtayev said, “The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Uzbekistan and Pakistan is fully active, and we’re currently operating to boom the listing of preferential merchandise underneath the Agreement from 17 to as a minimum 100 objects.” In June 2024, the ‘Made in Pakistan’ business exhibition became held in Tashkent, in the framework of which numerous new exchange and funding agreements had been signed, he stated. “We are planning to organize an exhibition of industrial products ‘Made in Uzbekistan’ in Pakistan in 2025, and such activities will serve to amplify the variety of goods exported among our international locations,” he said. He said, “I am assured that inside the near destiny we will make sure the realistic implementation of the agreement of the heads of states to increase the quantity of bilateral trade up to $1 billion.” “I haven’t any doubt that the future of trade and economic family members between Uzbekistan and Pakistan is vibrant, and strong political ties will serve to raise this cooperation to a new level,” the Uzbek ambassador concluded.
