Governor Punjab has done remarkable work for the progress of Pakistan and is still taking Pakistan forward by making foreign visits to enhance trade, exports, bilateral relations.
Governor of Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar got Pakistan the GSP Plus status. He visited European countries and successfully lobbied for GSP Plus status for Pakistan. To this end, he met with more than 30 members of the European Parliament, and now he has also got an extension of ten years to GSP Plus status.
At the request of Governor Punjab, the Vice President of the European Parliament, Fabio Massimo Castaldo paid his first visit to Pakistan. As a result of this expansion, Pakistan’s exports increased by 65% and reached $15 billion which is benefiting Pakistan annually. Just like GSP Plus status, governor Punjab is making efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
Recently Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar with a business delegation made a visit to Uzbekistan. There he visited the two provinces of Uzbekistan Namangan and Bukhara. He had business meetings there to promote bilateral trade and export.
Pak-Uzbek relations were established when the republic of Uzbekistan became independent in 1991. Pakistan was the first country to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan. Both countries have a cordial and deepening relationship.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan are members of different international forums including the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) is held regularly.
Trade between both countries is increasing, rising threefold between 2018 and 2019. The first direct flights between the countries began in 2018 between Tashkent and Lahore launched by Uzbekistan Airways to further increase trade between the two countries.
Governor Punjab Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar visited Uzbekistan at the start of February, to enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan & Uzbekistan. He received a warm welcome by the Governor of Namangan Shavkat Abdurazzakov at Namangan Xalqaro Airport.
Governor Namangan took Governor Punjab accompanied the business delegation to the new Conference center hall meeting & appreciated his efforts as a linchpin pin between the business community of both countries to enhance bilateral trade. Both Governors ensured that the initiatives discussed in the last trip are already up & running. Remember that Governor Punjab visited Uzbekistan last year in February.
Governor Namnagan took Governor Punjab to Yuksalish Free Industrial zone, which is a key initiative of launching “Namangan New City” under construction, where mutually beneficial future collaboration was discussed & the next steps agreed.
Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar laid the foundation stone of the first medical university to be set up in Namangan province of Uzbekistan with the cooperation of Punjab. He assured that Uzbekistan would provide full technical assistance to increase cotton production in Punjab.
Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar also Addressed the groundbreaking ceremony of the first Medical University to be built with the cooperation of Punjab that he is happy to lay the foundation stone of the first historic project of Namangan which was started with the cooperation of Punjab. In the coming days, more such projects will be launched, bringing the two provinces closer to each other and promoting investment and creating employment opportunities in both provinces.
Governor Punjab called his second visit to Namangan, a great privilege especially as it is a sister province of Punjab while said I am grateful to Governor Namangan Shavkat Abdurazzakov for his hospitality & vision of collaboration between our two countries. Governor Punjab promised his maximum support to further enhance bilateral ties across sectors.
In a lunch given by Governor Namangan, an Uzbek Singer sang a patriotic Pakistani song in Urdu. Governor Punjab appreciated the strong cultural ties between Uzbekistan & Pakistan said It was wonderful to listen to Uzbek singer. Which is Indeed reflective of their honor & respect for Pakistan.
Leading figures of the business community from Uzbekistan and Punjab and others were also present on the occasion. Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar also met with investors from other sectors of Uzbekistan including textiles on the second day of his visit. He was invited them to invest in various sectors in Punjab. Investors from Uzbekistan have announced visiting Punjab soon and investing in various sectors.
Uzbekistan assured full guidance of Pakistan regarding the increase in cotton production in Punjab is also welcoming for which a delegation of Uzbek agricultural expert Yen will soon visit Punjab in different cities of Punjab. He said we are also creating new special economic zones for domestic and foreign investors. In line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Governor Punjab is ready to work with the business community to promote investment in Pakistan. All international organizations are also acknowledging the economic growth and stability in Pakistan.
Shavkat Abdurazzakov, Governor of Namangan Province (Uzbekistan) assured that he stands with Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar for the development and prosperity of Punjab and said I am sure that any of our investors who will invest in other sectors including textiles in Punjab will work same as they do in Uzbekistan. We are fulfilling our responsibility for the development and prosperity of the province as the people of Punjab and Namangan consider each other as brothers.
After Namangan, Governor Punjab visited Province Bukhara of Uzbekistan. The city of Bukhara is located on the silk route. Bukhara is also the birthplace of Imam Bukhari. UNESCO has listed the historic center of Bukhara, which contains numerous mosques and madrassas, as one of the World Heritage Sites. In Bukhara, Governor Punjab was welcomed by the Governor of Bukhara, Botir Zaripov.
Both Governors signed MoUs for the exchange of textile manufacturing technology, agricultural technology, and cotton seeds between Bukhara (Uzbekistan) and Punjab, while the business community of Bukhara province has signed investments in textile and agricultural sectors in Punjab and expressed their interest during Governor Punjab Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar’s visit to Uzbekistan.
The Governor Punjab was shown the city’s architectural and archaeological sites, which form one of Central Asian history and art pillars. The Governor of Punjab was taken to the Memorial Complex of Khoja Bakhouddin Naqshbandi – founder of the Sufi Order “Naqshbandi” who is buried 12 km from Bukhara.
During visit to Bukhara province Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar along with All Pakistan’s Textile Mill Association group leader Gohar Ijaz and others visited Bukhara province. After the warm welcome, a meeting was held between Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar and Governor Botir Zaripov and the business community.
On the occasion, APTMA group leaders Gohar Ijaz and Mian Talat, among others, also signed MoUs for the exchange of textile manufacturing technology, agricultural technology, and cotton seeds in Bukhara and Punjab provinces and agreed that soon Bukhara’s delegation of investors will also visit Punjab in which matters will be finalized. During his visit to Bukhara, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar also visited the birthplace of Imam Bukhari and Khawaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi Memorial Complex where local officials also briefed them about the facilities there.
Talking to the media regarding his visit to Bukhara, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said that MoUs have also been signed for the exchange of textile manufacturing technology. In the coming days, Uzbek agricultural experts and investors will visit Punjab. There is no doubt that the cooperation of Uzbek experts in the cotton sector will be very important to increase cotton production in Punjab. Punjab and Uzbek Agricultural Universities will be brought closer and the delegations from both sides will visit the universities which will help each other in the field of research.
Welcoming the Punjab delegation to Bukhara, Governor Botir Zaripov said that relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan have always been ideal and friendly and we are pursuing a policy of further strengthening these ties. Bukhara will not only further strengthen the relationship between the two provinces but will also provide an opportunity for investors from both sides to invest, which will increase employment in both provinces.
Governor Botir Zaripov assured that soon their province’s investors and experts in other fields including agriculture would visit Punjab and more MoUs and agreements would be signed.
