Islamabad (TDI): The 10th Session of the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation brought together senior officials from both countries to review progress in bilateral relations and outline future cooperation, on Monday.
The session was co-chaired by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Industries and Production, and Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan.
The meeting provided an opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of developments since the previous IGC session in 2025. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady advancement of bilateral engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and broader economic sectors.
The two sides underscored the importance of the Preferential Trade Agreement and welcomed progress made under Phase II concessions. They agreed to expedite institutional mechanisms aimed at achieving the target of $2 billion in bilateral trade.
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Discussions also covered trade facilitation measures, including improvements in logistics, customs digitalization, transit trade cooperation, development of regional trade corridors, and enhanced business-to-business linkages, alongside improved visa facilitation for business communities.
The Commission agreed to establish the first Joint Working Group on labor relations to address labor mobility, skills development, workplace safety, and employment visa-related issues.
In the transport and communications sector, the IGC reviewed progress on regional railway and connectivity projects, noted interest in launching direct air services, and agreed to explore alternative transport corridors to strengthen regional trade and transit connectivity.
Both sides welcomed progress on phytosanitary protocols that have enabled the export of Uzbek fruits to Pakistan and agreed to expand cooperation through additional protocols, joint working groups, and technical collaboration in plant protection, livestock development, and agricultural research.
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Cooperation in higher education, science, and technology was also reviewed, with both sides noting progress in academic and research partnerships.
Agreements were reached to promote joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, vocational and technical training, innovation, and capacity building.
Environmental and climate-related cooperation was recognized as a shared priority, encompassing climate resilience, protection of glacial ecosystems, sustainable water management, and community-based adaptation.
The IGC also advanced collaboration in pharmaceuticals, energy and minerals, information technology, telecommunications, small and medium enterprises, industry, banking, and finance.
In their concluding remarks, the co-chairs emphasized the importance of translating political goodwill into tangible economic outcomes. Both governments agreed to hold the 11th Session in Tashkent.
