Pak-Uzbek Transit Trade Agreement signed

July 17, 2021

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The Pak-Uzbek Business Forum was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The aim of this initiative was to bring Pakistani and Uzbek businessmen closer and boost trade and investment between the countries.

The Prime Minister’s Trade Advisor, Abdul Razzak Dawood, presented bilateral trade opportunities and signed memorandums of understanding and a transit agreement. He stressed the importance of cooperation in promoting trade and investment. He also met with a number of representatives, chambers and organizations from Uzbekistan and Pakistan and discussed possible ways to increase bilateral trade and investment.

As part of the current government’s vision, Pakistan will be the shortest path for trade, transforming Pakistan into a hub for trade, transit and cargo handling and strengthening regional ties with Central Asia.

He stressed the importance of Pakistan’s strategic geographic location, a market with a population of 220 million and access to Central Asian countries through Uzbekistan.

According to the agreement, transit between Uzbekistan and Pakistan will be carried out along pre-established routes using only designated ports and border crossings. Uzbekistan and Pakistan undertake to ensure the availability of appropriate infrastructure and personnel at border crossing points and, on a reciprocal basis, will provide separate berthing facilities outside the berth and warehouse, at entry / exit points and other designated customs offices.

Each country is still responsible for licensing carriers registered in its territory (for example, freight companies), but Uzbekistan and Pakistan issue traffic permits that allow carriers to transport goods across another country’s territory. …

The Uzbek government recognizes Pakistani driver’s licenses and vehicle registration documents and vice versa. The governments of Uzbekistan and Pakistan will expedite and simplify the issuance of multiple-entry visas to truck drivers in each other’s countries. With the exception of some perishable goods, goods passing through Uzbekistan and Pakistan must be stored in closed containers that meet international standards.

The Uzbekistan-Pakistan Transit Coordination Committee (UPTTCC), established under the AUPTT Agreement, is responsible for monitoring and facilitating the implementation of the Agreement. Complaints, dispute resolution and arbitration are included in the contract.

More than 100 prominent businessmen from Pakistani sectors, trade organizations such as FPCCI, Government organizations including FBR, BOI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Pakistani side and the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce from the Uzbek side were present on the occasion .

At the sidelines, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan also organized a fruitful meeting of the business delegation with its business partners in Uzbekistan. The textile, chemical, fruit and vegetable and rice industries received export orders from this business forum.