Kamel Kamalov

Economic Cooperation Between Uzbekistan and Pakistan Prospects for Economic Cooperation Between Uzbekistan and Pakistan Although our countries do not share a common border, they are united by mutual regional interests. Like Uzbekistan, Pakistan is interested in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan and establishing transport corridors through its territory, as this would enable Uzbekistan to access the ports of the Indian Ocean and allow Pakistan to enter the markets of Central Asia and Russia In recent years, Uzbekistan has become Pakistan’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. Between 2017 and 2024, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Pakistan increased 11-fold — from $36.2 million in 2017 to $403.9 million in 2024. Exports rose 29.5 times — from $10.1 million to $298.9 million, and imports grew 4 times — from $26 million to $104.9 million. Pakistan’s direct investments in Uzbekistan grew from $0.084 million in 2017 to $47.4 million in 2024. From 2017 to 2024, the total volume of Pakistan’s investments in Uzbekistan reached $53.5 million. Of this, 92.7% was directed towards the manufacturing sector. Effective negotiations in Tashkent The negotiations held within the framework of the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, were highly productive. • • • • • • • Signed documents Agreement on cooperation in the field of science, technology, and innovation; Agreement on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports; Agreement on cooperation between the Ministries of Internal Affairs; Agreement on cooperation in the field of vocational education; Agreement on cooperation in the field of youth policy; Agreement on cooperation between national news agencies; Agreements and memorandums on cooperation between diplomatic academies, as well as between the cities of Tashkent and Lahore, and other documents.