Uzbekistan has announced an exciting plan to launch a direct flight route connecting Tashkent and Karachi, marking a big step toward closer ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. This move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity in the region and strengthen economic cooperation.
During his recent visit to Karachi from January 2-4, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, shared this news while addressing key business and trade groups. Meetings with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) focused on fostering deeper ties.
Ambassador Tukhtaev highlighted the strong cultural and historical bonds shared by both nations, strengthened by common traditions and values. He emphasized that these connections have paved the way for greater regional collaboration and strategic partnerships.
In line with these efforts, Uzbekistan introduced a soft visa regime for Pakistani citizens in September 2023. This new visa policy aims to make travel easier for tourists and businesspeople, reflecting Uzbekistan’s commitment to building closer ties with Pakistan.
The upcoming Karachi-Tashkent flight will complement the direct flights already running between Tashkent and Lahore, making travel between the two countries more accessible. These developments are expected to boost people-to-people connections and encourage mutual trade and investment.
Trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has seen remarkable growth, tripling over the past five years. In 2023, trade volumes reached $387 million, compared to just $122 million in 2019. Ambassador Tukhtaev shared that industries like textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, food processing, and agribusiness hold untapped potential for even stronger collaboration.
He also pointed to the success of the “Made in Pakistan” exhibition held in Tashkent in June 2023, which showcased the strength of Pakistani businesses. Building on this, Uzbekistan plans to organize a “Made in Uzbekistan” exhibition in Karachi later this year, aiming to foster greater economic exchanges and new opportunities for trade and investment.
As part of his visit, Ambassador Tukhtaev invited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to send a business delegation to Uzbekistan. He assured full support in organizing government-to-business and business-to-business meetings to explore investment prospects in key regions such as Bukhara, Sirdarya, Surkhondarya, and Kashkadarya.
The Ambassador underlined that Uzbekistan offers a business-friendly environment for investments and urged Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in sectors where Sindh excels. He also expressed enthusiasm for hosting B2B meetings alongside business delegations to drive collaboration and innovation.
Ambassador Tukhtaev’s visit to Karachi has set the stage for deeper connections between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, paving the way for stronger regional partnerships, greater economic growth, and improved connectivity between the two nations.
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