A Ministerial Delegation led by Mr. Laziz Kudratov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan called on the Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Sikander Hayat Bosan. In his office Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikander Hayat Bosan discussed the potential cooperation between both countries Pakistan and Uzbekistan in the field of Agriculture. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikander Hayat Bosan discussed the following proposed areas of bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in the field of agriculture and livestock with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs Division. Both countries may share the list of livestock items of interest for import/export to each other and may also inform about the sanitary requirement of those items. He also discussed to provide market access to each other’s livestock products. Pakistan may seek Uzbekistan assistance in the areas of wool technology and turkey farming. Both sides also talked that Pakistan may offer assistance to Uzbekistan side in the areas of livestock feed technology, semen production, processing & preservation and disease diagnostics in livestock and their control. They further talked about exchange of elite genetic resources of cotton, rice and wheat to develop high yielding hybrids and varieties resistant to emerging stresses. They also discussed joint ventures for crop improvement through conventional and biotechnological approaches. They further talked about sharing of knowledge regarding suitable agricultural technologies for adaption to climate change. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikander Hayat Bosan also highlighted that Uzbek side has previously shown interest for cooperation in the field of cotton but this Ministry referred to Ministry of Textile Industry. Since the subject of cotton has now been transferred to this Ministry, further cooperation in this area may also be explored. A draft Memorandum was prepared on cooperation in the field of agriculture between two sides was prepared and shared by this Ministry with the Uzbek side through Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July, 2017 after seeking approval of the Cabinet. The reply from Uzbek side is awaited. The draft MoU is important to institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture so it would be great He further said considered response on the draft MoU from Uzbek side as signing of this MoU is instrumental for institutionalizing our bilateral cooperation. He further informed the delegation that Prime Minister of Pakistan also nominated Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikander Hayat Bosan as the Co-Chair from Pakistan side for Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Inter-Governmental Commission in 2017.
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