ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan is considering Uzbekistan’s request for provision of transport facilities at the Gwadar Port and Port Qasim, Uzbek Ambassador Aybek Arif Usmanov said on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on the eve of Uzbekistan’s 18th independence day, the ambassador said Uzbekistan had earlier asked Pakistan to provide transport facilities at its ports. He said the federal cabinet had also ratified the transit trade agreement with Uzbekistan, which would prove instrumental in promoting trade relations between the two countries. The ambassador said both countries enjoyed friendly relations based on deep-rooted historical interactions and brotherhood.

He said several bilateral visits of the top leadership had taken place in the past.

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Significantly, there was a separate three-power discussion involving Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, which signed on implementing the construction of rail, roads and highways on the Panji Poyon-Sherkhon and Bandar-Kabul-Peshawar routes, giving Tajikistan access to sea through Pakistani ports. President Zardari ended up saying the Dushanbe summit decision would be appreciated by generations to come.

The Russian president was there when the summit appealed for investments and control of the smuggling of drugs and weapons and cross-border crime. Pakistan and Russia promised to push their stalled relationship forward by agreeing that “terrorism and militancy were not only a threat to peace and stability of the region, but to the world as a whole” and that the two would strengthen bilateral trade.

Around the same time last year a Pakistani delegation had gone to Dushanbe to talk about importing 1,000MW of electricity from Tajikistan and its neighbour Kyrgyzstan at a rate which was four cents less than the one Pakistan was paying to the IPPs. This year, too, there is talk of Central Asian electricity; and the summit declaration has talked about doing something about the “transport infrastructure” in the region. It is obvious that transport infrastructure is what is lacking, and Pakistan in particular should worry about facing the same kind of difficulties with electricity pylons as it is facing with its indigenous gas pipelines.

The Central Asian region is silently moving to a new political configuration and Pakistan can no longer separate itself from it just because it is negatively preoccupied in South Asia. This is more important because the time has come to think of connecting South Asia economically with Central Asia where Russia and China are the big factors of change. Those who say that Central Asian states are sparsely populated and therefore not important from the point of view of exports from India and Pakistan, must have also taken note of how Pakistan has been consistently looking to Tajikistan for the strengthening of its national power grid; and that Tajikistan has been eying Gwadar for an outlet to the sea through Pakistan.

Pakistan has been quietly supplying the food markets of Central Asia through smuggling. The Pakistani potential for growing food crops can only be realised if it becomes a permanent source of supply to the region through secure trade routes. Food in return for electricity would be a fair deal under any circumstances. Other countries including India can also share the route facilities provided by Pakistan — an MoU in this regard has already been signed by the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan — while a recently built bridge across the Amu Darya, the river which divides Afghanistan and Tajikistan, will allow Chinese goods to be sent down to Pakistan for export from Gwadar. China has already built a new road linking Xinjiang, its westernmost province, with Tajikistan.

Where China and Russia lead the regional groupings — as they do in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) — the effort is to replace terrorism with trade as the mode of communication between states. China was not in Dushanbe but its influence was unmistakable. It is the largest investor in Afghanistan and it is the closest strategic ally of Pakistan. The SCO to which all the summit members send their delegations targets Islamic extremism as the main source of terrorism in the region. President Rakhmon — he used to be Rakhmonov not long ago — guards the interests of Uzbekistan which is targeted by Tahir Yuldashev, the Uzbek warlord, who is hiding in Pakistan today and also operating against Pakistan’s interests.

It is important for Pakistan to become a player in the Central Asia region through trade and trade routes and stand firmly against the export of extremism from its non-state actors. Its geographic location sets it apart from other states of South Asia. It can enhance the importance of Central Asia and become a key regional state in the process.

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The signing of joint protocol ceremony was held here at a local hotel after the conclusion of two-day 3rd session of Pak-Tajik Joint Economic Commission (JEC). The JEC brainstormed on the issues relating to trade, economic cooperation, scientific and technical cooperation and other fields. Both sides agreed to sign the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) 2009.

Tajikistan offered warehouse facility to Pakistan at Panji Poyon and requested for a reciprocal facility for Tajik business community at Gwadar Port.

Both sides agreed for a speedy implementation of the Electricity transmission line between Tajikistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan— Central Asian Sharing Aid (CASA 1000).

Pakistani side offered training facilities to Tajik Geo-scientists and technicians in the field of instrumental analysis in the geo-science.

Since Tajikistan is a land locked country, it needs access to warm waters for enhancing trade and increasing its exports. To serve this purpose, both sides agreed to facilitate transport arrangements between the two countries through an agreement, which would be finalised soon. They agreed for early finalisation of MoUs on public health, pharmaceutical, cultural exchange program (CEP). Drug trade is a menace, which has become an “international migrane” for the region in particular and for the whole world in general. Governments have been trying hard to fight against this inhumane trade and sharing of information is a key to curbing this menace.

In order to implement the MoU signed between the two countries on combating against

narcotics / drugs, both sides agreed to make arrangements for posting of drug liaison offices in their respective embassies for quick information sharing within one month.

Earlier, Embassy of Tajikistan organised an international seminar on “Hydro Power Projects” in the Republic of Tajikistan for transmission of electricity to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Addressing journalists, Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf said development of CASA 1000 power transmission project and development of a Central Asia–South Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM) is a key objective for the governments of Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan and Tajikistan.

He further said that CASAREM would provide linkage by improving reliability and pooling reserves, reduced investment in power generating capacity, improving load factor and increasing load diversity.

The project would be completed with a cost of $800 million from 2010 to 2013 and would be financed by the World Bank and International Development Bank.

The minister said that President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari would visit Tajikistan soon, which would further cement bilateral ties. Tajik Minister for Power and Industries, Gul Sher Ali, said CASAREM project would enhance trade in energy, develop rules for electricity trading within the countries in the region through regional grid. He further said that it would also promote/share regional know-how in Energy anagement, Infrastructure Regulation. ijaz kakakhel

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The ambassador said that both the countries have signed about twenty agreements, protocols and memorandums of understanding (MoU’s) to extend cooperation in energy, communications, insurance, investments and industry.

He said that the government of Tajikistan shall be able to assure its electricity requirements by 2009 and will also export to the other countries.

For the advancement of the communication projects, the government has adopted strategy to construct new highways and bridges to link Tajikistan with neighboring countries, he added.

Cherishing brotherly relations between the two nations the Federal Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo said that the Pakistan was one of the first countries who recognized the independence of Tajikistan.

He said that Pakistan was the first country who established diplomatic ties with it and opened Pakistan’s embassy in Dushanbe in 1993.

The minister further said that apart from trade and economic ties, Tajikistan has also spiritual and religious relations with Pakistan.

app.com.pk ]]> http://gwadarcity.info/2009/tajik-ambassador-seeks-business-access-through-pakistani-ports/feed/ 0 http://gwadarcity.info/2009/gwadar-port-to-be-linked-with-central-asian-states/ http://gwadarcity.info/2009/gwadar-port-to-be-linked-with-central-asian-states/#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 02:33:23 +0000 admin http://gwadarcity.info/?p=78 ISLAMABAD: The Federal minister for Communication, Arbab Alamgir Khan has said government is working on a comprehensive plan to link Gawadar Port with International Highways particularly with Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan and other States of Central Asia.

He was talking with Ambassador of Tajikistan H.E Mr. Zubaydullo Zubaydov, who met him in his office here Monday to discuss the matter of trade development between the two country. Secretary Communication, Sharif Ahmed and Chairman National Highway Authority Altaf Ahmed Choudhry were also present in the meeting.

Minister said government is interested to complete all internal link roads to Gwadar as this road network will strengthen trade activities with neighbor countries. He hopes that neighbor countries would be taken benefit from the Gwadar Port. He said government has already allowed Afghanistan to use this port for their trade activities. Tajikistan and other Central Asian States would also be used this for their trade and business activities for which Pakistan will fully facilitate.

Federal Secretary Communication, Sharif Ahmed in the meeting disclosed that Pakistan is holding an International Conference in November to promote trade and economic activities in this region. More then 100 countries including neighbors and central Asian countries will attend the conference and exchange views relating to economic and trade activities as well as transportation system between the neighbor countries. On the occasion, The Ambassador of Tajikistan, H.E. ZUBAYDULLO ZUBAYDOV has said that Tajikistan is interested to promote trade activities with Pakistan as at present the trade volume between the two countries is very little and it should be enhanced. He said Tajikistan will fully support Pakistan in its plan of road development in Pakistan and border areas lined to Gwadar Port. He disclosed about 35 kilometers metle road has already available at Tajikistan border area to facilitate the transporters, which will be enhanced soon.

He said Tajikistan’s Minister for Communication will visit Pakistan soon to settle the matter of transportation facilities and development of road network from Pakistan to Tajikistan as Tajikistan is playing vital role promotion of trade activities between the Pakistan and CIS countries as Tajikistan is a gate way to Central Asian States.

onlinenews.com.pk ]]> http://gwadarcity.info/2009/gwadar-port-to-be-linked-with-central-asian-states/feed/ 0 http://gwadarcity.info/2009/afghanistan-offered-use-of-gwadar-port-qasim/ http://gwadarcity.info/2009/afghanistan-offered-use-of-gwadar-port-qasim/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 02:31:55 +0000 admin http://gwadarcity.info/?p=76 In return Pakistan seeks access to CARs under new transit trade accord

Special Secretary of Ministry of Oil and Gas G.A. Sabiri while briefing about the visit of advisor petroleum and gas doctor Asim Hussain to Turkmenistan, said that 14 thousand cubic feet reservoirs of gas were verified in Turkmenistan. This can be exported in the whole world through Gwadar port.

During the visit, issue of importing the gas through Gwadar port also came under discussion ‘he added.

sananews.com.pk ]]> http://gwadarcity.info/2009/pakistan-offers-to-import-turkmenistan-gas-through-gwadar/feed/ 0 http://gwadarcity.info/2009/tajikistan-to-be-offered-transit-trade/ http://gwadarcity.info/2009/tajikistan-to-be-offered-transit-trade/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:13:50 +0000 admin http://gwadarcity.info/?p=90 ISLAMABAD ( 2009-04-28 04:48:32 ) akistan is to offer Tajikistan transit trade to and from Pakistan using its ports, warehousing facilities and other communication networks, sources in Commerce Ministry told Business Recorder. Tajikistan’s Ambassador in Pakistan was scheduled to meet Commerce Minister Amin Fahim, last week but the meeting did not materialise due to the Minister’s engagements in the Presidency, sources said.

New date for the meeting is expected to be finalised shortly. “We will offer to Tajikistan transit trade to and from Pakistan using Pakistani ports and means of communications. We may also offer them the warehousing facility for their goods in transit,” sources in the Ministry said.

They said that Pakistan would take up the issue of cotton imports from Tajikistan and would encourage its businessmen to meet its import needs from Tajikistan. In this context, Pakistan would recommend that a Tajik business/private sector delegation should visit Pakistan for one-to-one contacts with Pakistan’s business community. Pakistan is ready to extend all possible assistance/logistic support in this regard, sources added.

They said that Pakistan has also requested Tajikistan to enter into a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) identifying select commodities of interest to the two countries with a view to increasing trade in commodities currently exchanged. This would enable the trading communities of the two countries to make their products more competitive due to preferential tariffs to be agreed through PTA.

Pakistan is organising a mega event (Expo) on annual basis. Tajikistan will be requested to participate in the next Expo which would provide opportunity to buyers to see Pakistan’s potential under one roof. It is pertinent to note that Pakistan is importing only a single commodity–raw cotton–while exporting various commodities.

Another bottleneck in trade between the two countries is excessive requirement of certifications and product registration, source said, adding that Commerce Minister would suggest simplification of procedures for enhancing the trade between the two countries. There are no quantitative restrictions on imports, but there is a list of commodities that can be imported only after the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Economic Relations has examined the contracts.

This list includes trucks, oil and oil products, fertilisers, wheat, flour, rice, tea, sugar and vegetable oil. The list of commodities which need government permission to import include natural gas, uranium and other radioactive substances, narcotic and psychotropic substances, weapons and other military equipment, ammunition cipher equipment, and electric power.

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The agreement was signed in Tashkent after the conclusion of the 4th session of Pak-Uzbek Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

Chairman of the JMC from Pakistan side, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf and Uzbek Minister for Agriculture and Water Management Safiuddin Ismailove signed the protocol.

The 4th session of the JMC was held at Tashkent from April 17 to 18, says a fax message received here from Tashkent. The session discussed various proposals to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation and stressed the need for joint strategy in this regard.

Ashraf also called on Uzbek Prime Minister. The minister urged for the opening of a branch of National Bank of Pakistan in Tashkent. He said that the government of Pakistan is considering a request of Uzbekistan for provision of transport facilities at the Gwadar Port and Port Qasim.

He also informed him the federal cabinet has ratified transit trade agreement with Uzbekistan. The Uzbek Prime Minister during the meeting assured that the necessary formalities are being finalised for the opening of an NBP branch in Tashkent. Uzbek PM also expressed good wishes and solidarity with Pakistan for its fight against terrorism.

Ashraf also held meetings with the Uzbek Minister of Commerce, Water, Economic Affairs and the delegation of chamber of commerce and industry. They all assured of their full cooperation and joint venture projects in Pakistan.

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The minister in a statement issued here stated that Pakistan is ready to provide a separate terminal to Kyrghiz republic and would welcome all the neighboring states of the CAR’s to use the port as transshipment trade of the region.

“Gwadar port will give impetus to the economic growth of the whole region, especially the south and central Asian region,” the minister hoped while talking to Nurlar Aitmurzaev, Ambassador of Republic of Kyrghistan, who called on him here in his office in Islamabad.

The ambassador said that Kyrghistan is interested in availing the facility of Gwadar port and also in having a terminal there. Gwadar port is the closest to CAR’S and it could change the destiny of the people of the entire region.

He said that there is a need for strengthening the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), of which, both counties are active members.

thenews.com.pk ]]> http://gwadarcity.info/2008/trans-shipment-for-cars-offered-at-gwadar-port/feed/ 0 http://gwadarcity.info/2008/kyrgyzstan-seeks-separate-terminal-at-gwadar-port/ http://gwadarcity.info/2008/kyrgyzstan-seeks-separate-terminal-at-gwadar-port/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:15:47 +0000 admin http://gwadarcity.info/?p=92 ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Republic of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan H.E Nurlar Aitmurzaev on Wednesday demanded the government to provide a separate terminal at Gwadar Port. The Ambassador expressed these views during a meeting with State Minister for Ports & Shipping Nabeel Gabol. He said that Kyrgyzstan is keenly interested in availing the facility of Gwadar port, as it is the closest to Central Asian Republics (CAR’S) and it could change the destiny of the people of whole region. Speaking on the occasion Nabeel Gabol said that Gwadar port would give impetus to economic growth of whole region. The minister said that both countries have historic ties and there is a need to exploit the potential in trade, economic and tourism sector. staff report

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In a special interview ahead of the 17th anniversary of Uzbekistan Independence on September 1, Umanov said Pakistan and Uzbekistan had great potential to increase bilateral economic, political, cultural and diplomatic ties. He said, “Trilateral agreement will help increase volume of bilateral trade.”

He said the two countries had already signed more than 29 agreements and MOUs. He was optimistic for enhancement in joint ventures and FDI. He said an agreement on transit trade, signed by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz in Tashkent, had opened broad perspectives for exchange of trade.

The ambassador said first Pakistani truck of Pak Caspian Trade Links Company reached Uzbekistan on 17 April 2008 and opened up a corridor for transit cargo to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The truck carried Pakistani products through Afghanistan to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and brought back goods and chemicals from Uzbekistan.

He said Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to establish joint ventures in textile, pharmaceutical and leather industries and exchanging technology to be used in healthcare sector on March 8 last year during the third session of Pak-Uzbekistan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

He said Pakistan and Uzbekistan could cooperate in tourism and Uzbekistan Airways had already started regular commercial flights (two-three times a week) between Lahore and Tashkent. More than 20 Pakistani tourist companies had signed MOUs with Uzbek companies, he added.

He said both countries were considering possible options for cooperation to exploit energy, particularly gas, in the near future, adding Uzbekistan had already been supplying electricity to seven northern provinces of Afghanistan. “So it is a matter of time and negotiations to extent these supplies to Pakistan,” he said. He said Uzbekistan had confirmed stocks of gold, copper, natural gas, tungsten, potassium salts, phosphorus, kaolin and both countries could use these items for bilateral benefit. He said Uzbekistan had been undergoing a process of reforms to modernise, democratise and liberalise all spheres of political and economic life besides making judiciary independent and ensuring human rights. He said Uzbekistan’s GDP growth rate accounted for 9.5 percent in 2007 and volumes of its industrial and agricultural production had increased by 12.1 percent and 6.1 percent respectively. He said cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz and Tashkent were symbols of Muslim beauty and that the country had potential for production of agricultural raw materials.

He said the country was celebrating 2008 as ‘Year of Youth’ on a proposal of President Islam Karimov. Uzbekistan stood at number three on ‘Social Protection Index for Asian Countries’, prepared by the ADB covering 31 countries, he said. He said Uzbeks had made contributions towards development of world producing great scientists, philosophers, thinkers, religious leaders, commanders and rulers. He said both countries enjoyed cordial relations since the independence of Uzbekistan in 1991. Apart from historical, ethnic, cultural and Islamic bonds, regional cooperation also fostered cooperation between the two countries, he said.

He said he loved Pakistan, which was just like a home away from home for him. “I have good memories of my previous stay in Karachi and my recent visits to Lahore, Peshawar, Mardan, Badin, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Changa Manga,” he said.

The ambassador said Pakistan was historically and culturally a rich country and its people were great, hardworking, decent and cooperative. Umanov called for more academic and cultural exchange programmes between the two countries. “In this regard, MoUs were signed between International Islamic University Islamabad and Tashkent Islamic University Uzbekistan and Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar Pakistan and Institute of Oriental Studies Academy of Sciences, Tashkent,” he said.

daily.pk ]]> http://gwadarcity.info/2008/uzbekistan-wants-access-to-pakistans-karachi-and-gwadar-port/feed/ 0 http://gwadarcity.info/2008/pak-kyrgyz-friendship-group-to-be-created-in-senate-soon/ http://gwadarcity.info/2008/pak-kyrgyz-friendship-group-to-be-created-in-senate-soon/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:50:41 +0000 admin http://gwadarcity.info/?p=28 ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Acting Chairman Senate, Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali on Monday said that a Pak‑Kirghiz Friendship Group will be created in the Senate soon.
He said this while talking to the Ambassador of Kirghiz Republic to Pakistan Bakhytbek Shabarbayev, who called on him at the Parliament House today.
The Acting Chairman said Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics are bound together by centuries old ties of history, culture and religion and these would go from strength to strength in the days to come.
He said that he would play his role in creation of the friendship group, which would be joined by Senators who frequent these Republics. He also underlined the need to further consolidating the economic, business

and trade relations with the Kirghiz Republic adding that a lot of scope exists for widening and expanding these relations. He also called for more Parliamentary exchanges to the mutual advantages of both the countries.

The Ambassador evinced a keen interest in availing of the facilities being offered by the Gwadar Port. He said that Gwadar is the closest sea port to Central Asia and it offers immense possibilities for movement of goods and services.
He expressed his Government’s keen desire to buy land in the special zone in Gwadar. He also pointed out that the country could help Pakistan overcome its power crisis by importing electricity from the Kirghiz Republic.
The Acting Chairman Senate thanked the Ambassador for the offer. He said that the Government is presently busy in completing the link roads and other auxiliary facilities for making the Gwadar Port fully operational.
He said that it is destined to become the regional hub and could easily serve the countries of the region. The Ambassador also requested the Acting Chairman to examine the possibility of extending the NLC truck service to the Central Asian Republics for facilitating bilateral trade.

He also disclosed that there are about 400 Pakistani students presently studying medicine and engineering in the Kirghiz Republic.

app.com.pk ]]> http://gwadarcity.info/2008/pak-kyrgyz-friendship-group-to-be-created-in-senate-soon/feed/ 0