ISLAMABAD: Uzbek Ambassador Aybek Arif Usmanov on Tuesday said he was optimistic about achieving goals set under the recently-signed $1 billion trade and industrial cooperation roadmap and the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.

“I am grateful to President Dr Arif Alvi, the government of Pakistan, Pakistan army, navy and air force for the achievements we gained in our connectivity. Since last year, our cooperation has been elevated to a level of strategic partnership due to confidant political dialogue, strengthening trade, industrial and technological projects as well as the active military cooperation between our armed forces,” said Aybek Arif Usmanov, who welcomed politicians, ambassadors and high commissioners as well as heads of international organisations to a reception to celebrate his country’s Independence Day and the Armed Forces Day at the Marriott Hotel.

Caretaker Commerce Minister Dr Gohar Ijaz and Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Islamabad Ambassador Otajan Mavlamov were the chief guests.

Aybek Usmanov, who was posted for the third time in Pakistan, said he was humbled to serve and reconnect people of the two countries.

He said in the last two years, the two countries had increased nearly half a billion dollars of bilateral trade via Afghanistan based on transit and preferential trade agreements.

“No doubt we will soon achieve goals of the recently signed $1 billion trade and industrial cooperation roadmap,” he said, adding that, “my heartfelt thanks of course goes to all professional teams of the Prime Minister Office, ministries of foreign affairs, commerce and industries, railways and aviation, finance, economic and security divisions, ministry of food security and many other entities.”

“Uzbekistan was grateful to Pakistani politicians, military leaders, experts and journalists who visited my country as observers during the referendum (April 30, 2023) and then on the early presidential elections day (July 9). We appreciate the valuable input as you all have witnessed the large turnout of voters supporting the renewed constitution. Our leaders underscored the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and accelerating regional connectivity in the fields of pharmaceutical production, energy, agriculture, IT, textiles and logistics,” he said.

Aybek Usmanov said of particular significance was the construction project of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway.

“Last month a new project office was established in Tashkent and a trilateral meeting of the project office (Uzb-Pak-Afg) was hosted by the Pakistani Ministry of Railways in Islamabad recently. The three countries have signed the protocol on the feasibility studies as well as finance and construction of this game changer project,” the ambassador said.

Meanwhile, guests stopped to admire impressions/paintings, decorating the entrance hall.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2023