ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, announced the Uzbek government’s plan to establish a direct flight route between Uzbekistan and Karachi this year, marking a major step toward bolstering ties between the two countries.

During his official visit to Karachi from January 2-4, Ambassador Tukhtaev met with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and Sindh’s business community. He highlighted the historic bonds between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, rooted in shared cultural and religious values.

“Our two nations are closer than ever, thanks to the realization of the long-awaited vision of regional connectivity,” Tukhtaev stated, underscoring efforts to enhance economic and strategic collaboration.

The ambassador noted Uzbekistan’s introduction of a soft visa regime for Pakistanis in September 2023, which facilitates business and tourism travel. The initiative follows the recently launched direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore, reflecting Uzbekistan’s dedication to fostering strong people-to-people connections.

On trade, he revealed that bilateral trade tripled over five years, from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023. Tukhtaev emphasized untapped opportunities in textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, food processing, and agribusiness, urging businesses to explore collaboration in these sectors.

The ambassador also announced plans for a “Made in Uzbekistan” industrial exhibition in Karachi this year, following the success of the “Made in Pakistan” exhibition held in Tashkent in 2023. Additionally, he invited a KCCI delegation to explore investment opportunities in Uzbekistan, assuring full embassy support for arranging business-to-business and government-to-business meetings.

“Uzbekistan offers a safe, conducive, and liberal environment for investment,” Tukhtaev emphasized, encouraging Pakistani businesses to leverage opportunities across sectors. His visit reinforced the shared commitment to advancing regional connectivity, strengthening economic ties, and deepening bilateral relations.