- Uzbek envoy says both countries need to adopt a new approach, centralise the whole system and do away with ‘shadow economy’
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Furqat Sidiqov called on National Food Security and Research Minister Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The minister is also a co-chair from Pakistan side for the Uzbek Joint Inter-Governmental Commission (JIGC), the next session of which is scheduled to be held in March next year in Tashkent.
Minister Mehboob Sultan said that the trade volume between the two countries could be increased and arket, as the cotton imported through Afghan border last month was actually Uzbek cotton. Hence, he added, both countries should do away with negative market forces.
“We are in need of viable agro machinery, especially cotton-related machinery, which could be imported from Uzbekistan and in the long run, the technology could be shared with local manufacturers through mutual agreement.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan imports vegetables and fruit worth $70 million from Uzbekistan while the former exports sugar, potatoes and citrus fruits worth $60 million to the latter. Pakistan is the second biggest trade partner of Uzbekistan in the Central Asian Region after Russia.
In this backdrop, the minister said it is important to move ahead in the field of research and technology, as Uzbekistan is self-sufficient in cotton seeds and Pakistan could import these seeds, which are resistant to various diseases.
“Moreover, our researchers are eager to learn new techniques to enhance the yield and move towards the goal of self-sufficiency in the field of agriculture and food. The exchange of students in this regard would also be a major step to enhance cooperation between the two countries,” he added.
The Uzbek envoy told the minister that Samarkand and Bukhara are unique agriculture centres, where cotton clusters are built/made for the small farmers.
“It is a facility for the cotton producers where all the process, from growing to packing, is done,” he said, adding that Pakistan could also adopt the idea.
He further apprised the minister that Uzbekistan cotton picking tools, as well as ten tractors, are currently working in Pakistan on trial basis.
The envoy said Uzbekistan could expand its agro-machinery market in Pakistan and asked about the list of local manufacturers and importers in this regard. He said there are certain taxation issues due to which the cost of tractors is relatively higher and it should be discussed and resolved.
Regarding the import of Uzbek cotton through Torkham border, the Uzbek ambassador said, “We can adopt a new approach, centralise the whole system and do away with ‘shadow economy’. Uzbekistan has the capacity to make its own cotton seeds and it could make special seeds for Pakistan. The interesting thing about Uzbek seeds is that they are naturally resistant to various diseases. Hence, a small amount of pesticides is needed,” he added.
The Uzbek ambassador said in order to facilitate trade, a proposal for a 700km long railway line is in the process which would pass through Uzbekistan, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In order to boost trade, he added, a trilateral commission is also proposed by the Uzbek side and if materialized, it would be beneficial for the landlocked countries.
A memorandum of understanding in the area of agriculture is expected to be signed in the next session of the JIGC. The exchange of high-level delegation between the two countries took place last year where both the countries mutually agreed to move ahead in the field of agro cooperation. It is expected that a memorandum of understanding would be signed soon after completion of internal formalities.
