Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Obyek Arif Usman visited Pakistan Sugar Mills Association-Sindh Zone office, the other day, to seek joint ventures for setting up of sugar mills in Uzbekistan with support of industrialists from Pakistan.
He informed the gathering about the momentum of gross domestic growth by 7.7 percent in 2004 and seven percent in 2005, as against an average of 4.2 percent in the period stretched from 1999 to 2003 in Uzbekistan, said an official statement received here on Friday.
"In this gratifying growth, the agricultural sector played a pivotal role coupled with the performance of industrial sector that had turned pretty well," he added.
Medium to long term prospects, he assured, carried a stamp of being bright, through accelerated reforms and progress in macroeconomics ongoing while the private sector was being placed in vanguard of economic thrust.
He explained that agriculture was a highly promising sector, Uzbekistan possessed highly fertile land, sizeable water and power resources, besides entire manpower being fully educated, well versed and hardworking.
"Lots of grains, cotton, fruits and vegetables were grown and exported from Uzbekistan, these areas were additionally attractive for investment by brotherly country of Pakistan," he remarked. The ambassador assured his personal attention and assistance of the embassy personnel to promote strong economic relations between the two countries.
The chairman of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association-Sindh Zone, Abdul Wajid, welcomed the ambassador and the guests. He thanked the delegation of Uzbekistan embassy visiting PSMA. He termed the visit of the Uzbek ambassador as significantly important being attached to promote economic ties with Pakistan.
Emerging economies of Uzbekistan offered great potentials for private sector of Pakistan to take the desired process of participation by joint ventures. A presentation was given on the present status, future potentials and pursuits designed for capitalising on it by the sugar industry, being catalyst of rural development.-PR