ISLAMABAD, Friday, February 6, 2026 (WNP): President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on Friday held a series of meetings with the heads of leading Pakistani business groups on the sidelines of the Uzbekistan–Pakistan Business Forum, underscoring a shared commitment to deepen bilateral economic engagement and unlock new investment opportunities.

During the interactions, President Mirziyoyev met senior executives from major Pakistani companies, including HRL Group, Engro Group, Gohar Textile, and Go Group.

The discussions focused on expanding practical cooperation across key sectors such as construction, energy, agriculture, textiles, and mining, with an emphasis on mutually beneficial partnerships and long-term collaboration.

Both sides explored prospects for joint production ventures, the development of agro-industrial clusters, and enhanced cooperation in geological exploration and mineral development. The meetings also highlighted opportunities to integrate Pakistani and Uzbek enterprises into international and regional supply chains, leveraging each country’s comparative advantages and strategic location.

President Mirziyoyev welcomed the growing interest of Pakistani companies in Uzbekistan’s reform-driven economy and investor-friendly policies, noting that Uzbekistan offers significant opportunities in infrastructure development, value-added agriculture, manufacturing, and resource exploration.

He encouraged Pakistani investors to take advantage of Uzbekistan’s industrial zones, incentives, and improving connectivity with regional and global markets.

The Pakistani business leaders expressed strong interest in expanding their footprint in Uzbekistan, particularly in energy projects, agribusiness, textile manufacturing, and mining. They emphasized the importance of sustained government-to-business engagement, facilitation mechanisms, and improved connectivity to translate discussions into concrete projects.

The meetings at the business forum reflected the broader momentum in Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations and signaled a growing convergence between the public and private sectors of both countries. Observers noted that enhanced business-to-business ties are expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral trade, promoting investment, and contributing to regional economic integration between South and Central Asia.