- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Jun 26 (APP): Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, in a telephonic call on Thursday, directed the Transition Management Committee of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to extend facilitation and briefing to the visiting delegation from Uzbekistan, emphasizing the potential for collaborative ventures in the maritime sector.
The minister highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and underlined Pakistan’s commitment in exploring economic avenues within the framework of its expanding blue economy, particularly with Central Asian nations, said a press release.
The Uzbek delegation, comprising nine senior officials and business representatives, was led by Alisher Tukhtaev, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan. The purpose of the visit was to examine investment potential and partnership opportunities within the maritime and port infrastructure of Pakistan.
Their tour of KPT followed a recent meeting between the Ambassador and the Federal Minister in Islamabad, where both sides discussed the significance of building sustainable maritime linkages to support mutual economic growth, promote regional connectivity, and ensure long-term prosperity through ocean-based industries.
Among the delegation members were Bakhrom Yusupov, Trade and Commercial Counselor at the Uzbekistan Embassy, Tukhtaev Akobirjon Khakimovich, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Uzbekistan, Djumaniyazov Mukhammadjon Bakhramovich, Secretary of the Uzbek Textile Association, and Ms. Al’ Bina Murtaza from the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce. They were joined by four local representatives for the Karachi visit.
During the engagement, members of KPT’s Transition Management Committee, Abdullah Zaki and Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, presented detailed insights into Pakistan’s blue economy landscape, particularly focusing on the Karachi Port’s role in trade facilitation and development.
They briefed the delegation on the 1600-acre Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone (CCDZ), highlighting its immense potential for investment in infrastructure, tourism, and port expansion.
The discussions also touched upon projects involving clean bulk cargo handling, logistics connectivity, and tourism-oriented ventures such as scuba diving and jet skiing, underlining Pakistan’s commitment to diversified and sustainable maritime development.
The Uzbek delegation expressed keen interest in the CCDZ initiative, potential port expansion plans, and other commercial opportunities within the blue economy.
They acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic position as a gateway to maritime trade and viewed the developments at KPT as a valuable opportunity to enhance Uzbekistan’s connectivity to global markets.
The delegation also visited South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited (SAPTL), where they witnessed modern container handling operations, including the use of state-of-the-art gantry cranes and other advanced equipment deployed by terminal operators.
The visit underscored the growing sophistication and efficiency of Karachi Port’s operations and served as a meaningful step toward fostering Uzbekistan-Pakistan maritime cooperation.