By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi invited Uzbek investors to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, saying there was significant potential in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone as well as in the textile, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and energy sectors.
He made these remarks during a meeting with an Uzbek business delegation led by the Governor of Navoi Region, Normat Tursanov, at the Governor House. Uzbekistan’s ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, Businessmen Group chairman Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, and Sohail Moten were also present.
During the meeting, the Governor of Navoi Region congratulated the Sindh governor on assuming office and extended good wishes. He also invited him to visit the Navoi Region, including Tashkent, an invitation which was accepted.
The Sindh governor said the government was providing full facilitation to investors in economic zones, including the free repatriation of profits without restrictions. He added that Karachi was Pakistan’s economic hub and stressed the need to strengthen trade links between Navoi and Karachi.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation. It was also noted that flights from Uzbekistan to Lahore and Islamabad were already operating, while there was an interest in launching direct flights to Karachi as well.
The Governor of Navoi Region said the area offered attractive historical sites for cultural tourism and stressed the importance of cultural exchange programmes, business forums and joint ventures.
Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev said Uzbek businessmen were importing pharmaceutical, surgical, sports, textile and leather products from Pakistan. He added there was strong demand in Uzbekistan for Pakistani livestock, particularly sheep and goats, as well as fruit. He also noted that more than 3,000 Pakistani students were studying in various universities in Uzbekistan, while Uzbekistan’s annual trade had increased by 7% over the past four years.
Both sides agreed to further facilitate the business community in order to increase bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
At the end of the meeting, Governor of Navoi Region Normat Tursanov and Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev recorded their impressions in the visitors’ book.
