Maritime Cooperation Talks
Uzbekistan and Pakistan have taken a notable stride toward strengthening their maritime cooperation, marked by a high-level visit from an Uzbek delegation to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
Led by Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, the delegation’s visit aimed at exploring investment opportunities and partnership prospects within Pakistan’s maritime and port infrastructure, underscoring the growing importance of regional connectivity and economic collaboration.
This visit was facilitated under the guidance of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who emphasized the strategic value of fostering cooperation with Central Asian countries to boost Pakistan’s emerging blue economy.
The Minister personally instructed the Transition Management Committee of KPT to provide comprehensive facilitation and detailed briefings to the visiting Uzbek officials, highlighting Pakistan’s intent to develop strong maritime linkages that can contribute to mutual economic growth and prosperity.
The delegation included three senior officials alongside representatives from the Uzbek business community. Their arrival in Karachi followed a recent high-level meeting between Ambassador Tukhtaev and Minister Chaudhry in Islamabad, where both sides underscored the significance of sustainable maritime connections to support trade, investment, and industrial development between the two nations.
During their engagement at KPT, officials from the Transition Management Committee, including Abdullah Zaki and Khawaja M Zubair, provided the Uzbek visitors with extensive insights into Pakistan’s blue economy.
The discussions focused on Karachi Port’s pivotal role as a regional trade facilitator and detailed ongoing projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, such as clean bulk cargo handling, logistics connectivity improvements, and the development of the Maritime Business District. These initiatives are designed to modernize the port’s infrastructure and attract increased foreign investment.
The Uzbek delegation expressed keen interest in Karachi Port’s terminal operations and recognized the significant potential for port expansion and commercial ventures within Pakistan’s maritime sector.
They acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic geographic advantage as a critical gateway to global maritime trade, seeing Karachi Port’s ongoing developments as crucial for improving Uzbekistan’s access to international markets, especially given Uzbekistan’s landlocked status.
Additionally, the delegation toured South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited (SAPTL), where they observed cutting-edge container handling technologies, including the use of advanced gantry cranes and other modern equipment employed by terminal operators. This visit highlighted the increasing sophistication and efficiency of Karachi Port’s operations.
Overall, the Uzbek delegation’s visit marked an important milestone in the bilateral relationship, showcasing both countries’ commitment to deepening maritime cooperation.
The engagement sets the stage for long-term collaboration aimed at boosting regional trade, enhancing connectivity, and leveraging Pakistan’s maritime assets to create new economic opportunities for both nations.
