ANSAR MAHMOOD BHATTI

TASHKENT:Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Business Forum on 15 July 2021. The event was organized by Pakistan in coordination with Uzbek authorities in Tashkent with a view to boosting bilateral trade and economic relations. The Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Aripov, participated in the inauguration

ceremony and delivered remarks. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s historical, cultural and spiritual connections with Uzbekistan. The Prime Minister underlined the importance attached by Pakistan to deeper engagement with Central Asia

and with Uzbekistan as the biggest economy in the region. The Prime Minister underscored that both countries must comprehensively upgrade trade and economic ties. Noting the participation of over 100 top Pakistani businessmen, the Prime Minister stressed that it

presented a huge opportunity to forge stronger partnership with Uzbek businessmen from corresponding sectors. The Forum envisions enhancing and diversifying the volume of trade between the two sides, exchanges of business delegations, identifying new avenues of trade and investment, and involving private sector in the business ventures. The Prime

Minister is on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan. Islamabad 15 July 2021