During his visit to Karachi from January 2-4, Ambassador Tukhtaev addressed gatherings at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and with local business leaders.
He underscored the strong historical and friendly ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, built on shared cultural and religious values.
“Our two nations are closer than ever, driven by the realization of a long-awaited vision for regional connectivity,” the ambassador stated, stressing efforts to enhance economic and strategic partnerships.
Ambassador Tukhtaev also highlighted Uzbekistan’s soft visa policy for Pakistani citizens, introduced in September 2023, which facilitates both business and leisure travel. This move, alongside the direct flights from Tashkent to Lahore, further demonstrates Uzbekistan’s commitment to increasing people-to-people exchanges and fostering mutual understanding.
He noted the significant growth in trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, which has surged from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023, and pointed to vast untapped potential in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, food processing, and agribusiness.
The ambassador also praised the success of the “Made in Pakistan” exhibition held in Tashkent last June, which provided a valuable platform for entrepreneurs from both nations to establish new business ties. Building on this success, he announced plans for a “Made in Uzbekistan” exhibition in Karachi later this year, which he believes will further enhance economic cooperation.
Furthermore, he invited members of the KCCI to visit Uzbekistan and explore investment opportunities in regions such as Bukhara, Sirdarya, Surkhondarya, and Kashkadarya. The ambassador assured that the Uzbek Embassy would provide full support in facilitating government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) meetings during such visits.
“Uzbekistan offers a safe, favorable, and business-friendly environment for investment,” he added, encouraging Pakistani businesses to seize opportunities in areas where Sindh excels. He also welcomed the idea of organizing B2B meetings alongside business delegations to help materialize trade and investment potential.
