ISLAMABAD, NOV 15(DNA) BMB Trade Group was one of the largest business group in Uzbekistan and it was now looking for partners in Pakistan as it considered Pakistan an attractive market for business and investment activities. This was observed by H.E. Mr. Furqat A. Sidikov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He accompanied Mr. Bekzod Mamatkulov, Chairman of Supervisory Board, BMB Trade Group and introduced him to the local business community.

H.E. Mr. Furqat A. Sidikov said that Uzbekistan and Pakistan enjoyed deep historic bonds and friendly relations. He said that Uzbekistan was the biggest trading partner of Pakistan in Central Asia as the bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 95 million in the last nine months and with the current trend, it was expected to reach USD 300 million in few years. He said many Pakistani companies including Hashoo Group had presence in Uzbekistan and his country would welcome more companies from Pakistani for JVs and investment.

The Ambassador said that his country wanted Trilateral Trade Commission comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to promote trade, logistic and investment. He said Uzbekistan has extended its railway line up to Mazar Sharif in Afghanistan and wanted to extend it up to Torkham border in order to facilitate trade with Pakistan. He said Uzbekistan was running direct flights between Lahore and Tashkent twice a week and flights between Islamabad-Tashkent and Karachi-Tashkent would also be arranged soon. He said Uzbekistan would also welcome Pakistani airlines for direct flights between the two countries.

Mr. Bekzod Mamatkulov   Chairman of Supervisory Board BMB Trade Group said that his group was involved in diversified businesses including development of international economic cooperation, attracting foreign direct investment, consulting services, introduction of modern agro-logistics clusters, export of freshly grown agricultural products, medicinal plants and import of pharmaceuticals to Uzbekistan. He said Pakistan was a potential market for business and BMB was looking for partners in Pakistan for JVs and partnerships.

Speaking at the occasion, Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Uzbekistan was a gateway for Pakistan to access Central Asian markets and both countries should focus on developing strong business linkages between private sectors to explore all untapped areas of business collaboration. He said CPEC has created great business prospects in Pakistan and Uzbek investors should explore Pakistan for JVs and investment.

Rafat Farid Senior Vice President and Iftikhar Anwar Sethi, Vice President ICCI and Khalid Malik Chairman Diplomatic Committee thanked Ambassador of Uzbekistan for introducing BMB Trade Group and assured that ICCI would fully cooperate in promoting business partnerships between the private sectors of both countries.