Uzbekistan is among countries producing the best quality cotton and talks are underway for cooperation with Pakistan on cotton production technology, Uzbek Embassy officials said on Thursday.
Uzbekistan Embassy Visa Consular Shukhrat Zaripov and Commercial Attache Jasur Saydakhmedov in a meeting at the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) said Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan was in contact with Uzbek authorities for cooperation in cotton production technology.
They said numerous opportunities existed for joint ventures in medicines, agriculture and industrial products, and Pakistan could export fruit and vegetables, particularly from south Punjab to Uzbekistan.
“Uzbekistan utilises 60 percent of the cotton production at home, while the rest is exported to other countries at comparatively lower price,” they said, and added that Uzbekistan was a big consumer market and products produced there carried European Union Certification.
Relations between the two countries were improving, and Pakistanis were being issued visas after five to seven days of filing applications. Tourism aspirants get one-month visa while those who apply for trade get six months to one year visa. Officials said efforts were afoot to remove hurdles in transportation, and to streamline cooperation in banking sector between the two countries.

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