ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Saturday underscored Pakistan’s push to expand bilateral trade and industrial cooperation with Uzbekistan as he inaugurated the Made in Uzbekistan Exhibition on the sidelines of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Islamabad.
According to an official statement, the inauguration ceremony was attended by Uzbekistan’s minister of trade, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. The commerce minister formally cut the ribbon to open the exhibition, marking the start of a showcase featuring a range of Uzbek products and industrial capabilities.
During his visit to various stalls, Kamal Khan noted the quality and export potential of the products on display and said such exhibitions help connect businesses and promote joint ventures. He said Pakistan places importance on its economic relationship with Uzbekistan and is working to strengthen trade through structured mechanisms, including the Preferential Trade Agreement, the Joint Business Council and regular business forums.
He said previous Pakistan–Uzbekistan Business Forums had resulted in memoranda of understanding and commercial engagements and expressed the expectation that the ongoing forum and exhibition would further broaden cooperation. According to the statement, sectors identified for potential collaboration include textiles, leather, food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, engineering, consumer goods and logistics.
The commerce minister encouraged businesses from both countries to explore partnerships, technology exchange and market access opportunities highlighted at the exhibition, which has participation from Pakistani and Uzbek companies. He said private-sector engagement was essential to translating bilateral understanding into commercial outcomes.
Speaking on the occasion, Jam Kamal Khan reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating Uzbek trade and transit, despite regional connectivity challenges. He stressed the need to develop alternative regional trade corridors to ensure continuity of commercial flows between the two countries.
He said the Made in Uzbekistan Exhibition reflected Uzbekistan’s expanding industrial base and noted that it complemented Pakistan’s export-oriented manufacturing sectors. According to the statement, this alignment could provide a basis for mutually beneficial trade growth if supported by consistent policy coordination and private-sector participation.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said improved connectivity and infrastructure cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan would be necessary to support higher trade volumes. He said transport and logistics links would play a role in reducing costs and improving access to regional markets.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the scope for collaboration in agriculture, food processing and value-added agricultural exports. He said both countries could benefit from sharing expertise and exploring opportunities in agri-based industries.
SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan pointed to prospects for industrial cooperation and manufacturing partnerships, particularly in sectors where both countries have existing capacity. He said investment in priority sectors could help diversify bilateral trade and strengthen industrial linkages.
The exhibition is being held from February 5 to 6, 2026, and is showcasing a range of Uzbek industrial and consumer products. According to the statement, the event provides a platform for direct interaction between Pakistani and Uzbek businesses, allowing companies to discuss potential commercial arrangements and longer-term cooperation.
Officials said the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Business Forum and the accompanying exhibition form part of broader efforts to enhance economic engagement between the two countries. They added that continued dialogue, regular business exchanges and implementation of agreed frameworks would be key to sustaining momentum in bilateral trade relations.
The statement said Pakistan and Uzbekistan remain engaged through institutional mechanisms to address trade, transit and investment issues, with the aim of expanding commercial ties and facilitating private-sector collaboration in the coming years.
