Commerce relations
Pakistan is strengthening commerce ties with Uzbekistan as a part of its broader funding technique in Central Asia. Not too long ago, officers from each nations mentioned enhancing enterprise alternatives, following a $1 billion commerce settlement signed in February 2023. The Pakistani Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, praised Uzbekistan’s infrastructure, notably its railway system, and highlighted the potential for collaboration in spiritual tourism, agriculture, meals, and prescribed drugs. Latest direct flights between the 2 nations have proven promise, and Khan proposed partnerships with native airways and plans for a enterprise discussion board throughout an upcoming official go to.
US sanctions
The US Division of the Treasury has sanctioned three former officers in Uzbekistan for extreme human rights violations, particularly sexual crimes towards ladies at a state-run orphanage. The sanctions, introduced on December 2, embody Yulduz Khudaiberganova, the orphanage’s former director, and two officers, Aybek Masharipov and Anvar Kuryazov, who’re accused of human trafficking and gender-based violence. These people have been implicated in abusing orphaned ladies via coercion and exploitation, with Khudaiberganova forcing minors into sexual acts.
Mining
Uzbekistan has introduced plans to reinforce its mining and metallurgical industries by 2025, aiming to modernize infrastructure, enhance manufacturing, and appeal to overseas investments. Additional particulars on particular initiatives or investments haven’t been disclosed.
Bilateral commerce
Uzbekistan and Russia have set a strategic aim to spice up bilateral commerce to $30 billion from 2024 to 2030. Throughout a working group assembly, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Trade, and Commerce, Laziz Kudratov, mentioned measures to reinforce cooperation in commerce, business, power, transportation, and agriculture. The subsequent Intergovernmental Fee session can be held in Moscow later this yr. Notably, commerce between the 2 nations has elevated by 20%, reaching $9.7 billion within the first ten months of 2023, with 68 new merchandise added to Uzbekistan’s exports.
Irrigation tasks
Uzbekistan’s president has authorised main irrigation tasks in collaboration with Chinese language companies to reinforce water provide and assist sustainable agriculture in Bukhara, Namangan, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya areas. The tasks, costing $160 million and $60 million respectively, can be financed via a mortgage from China’s Export-Import Financial institution. Main Chinese language firms CITIC Development and China CAMC Engineering will oversee the reconstruction efforts, that are set to start in 2025. The federal government has allotted $9.3 million from native budgets as advance funds, with additional price range changes to observe. These initiatives intention to enhance irrigation effectivity and handle sustainable water administration in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector.
