The Pak-Uzbek Joint Ministerial Conference began here on Wednesday to discuss and explore new avenues of cooperation in the economic and trade fields.
Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi is leading Pakistan's delegation while Uzbekistan delegation is led by Uzbek Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Saifuddin Ismailov.
Welcoming the Uzbek delegation, Jatoi said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy very cordial and brotherly relations as the peoples of both countries have the same religion and a number of traditional values and heritage. He said that tremendous scope of cooperation exists between the two countries in the fields of economic development and trade.
He said that it was high time to seize the opportunities of cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Jatoi said that with the functioning of Gwadar port from March 31, trade activities of the country would gain a new boost between the two countries. The port, he said, would operate as a duty-free port and it would create a very positive impact on the trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He underscored the need for undertaking visits by the delegations of both countries as these would be helpful for strengthening of economic ties between the two countries. He said: "We have proposed to the Uzbek government for establishing a National Bank branch to facilitate the businessmen to carry out business activities".
He said the interaction of delegations between the two countries can also play a tremendous role for enhancing economic activities in the two countries. He said that Uzbekistan produces best quality cotton and Pakistan is prepared to help set up a textile mill in Uzbekistan to achieve maximum benefit out of it.
"Pakistan is facing shortage of electricity and gas production; so, Uzbekistan can also help us to overcome the shortage in these sector." He said: "We are graetful to the Ubzek government for providing road linkages to Pakistan and extending help for becoming member of the Shahghai Cooperation Council".
Jatio said the trade balance between the two countries is not according to their true potentials, and called for enhancing the volume of trade for the benefit of the people of the two countries. He said Pakistan produces best quality of fruits, particularly of citrus, and it would be appreciated if Uzbekistan decided to import it.
Uzbek Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Saifullah Ismailov said that the people of Uzbekistan have lots of commonalties in the fields of culture and heritage with Pakistanis. He said that during the previous visit of President Pervez Musharraf to Uzbekistan a lot of matters had come under discussion and it was decided to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries, and "we had created conducive environment for Pakistan businessmen to carry out business activities in Uzbekistan".
He said that Uzbek businessmen like Pakistan and are keen for undertaking business activities and they also want to enhance joint economic activities in the two countries. The Uzbek Minister said it was encouraging that Pakistan's economy was emerging as strong and gaining strength with the passage of time. He said: "We are very happy over the development taking place in the brotherly country."