Ambassador from the Uzbekistan H.E Furqat Sidiqov called on the Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan here in Islamabad today. Federal Secretary Dr. Hashim Popalzai and other officials of the Ministry were also present. Matters regarding upcoming Joint Inter-Governmental Commission (JIGC) and agriculture co-operation were discussed. Federal Minister said that Pakistan is an agrarian economy and current government is committed to uplift the farmers and bring agriculture revolution in the country. The proposed agriculture cooperation areas between the two countries are quite expansive including market access to livestock products, exchange of technology in areas of wool and turkey farming. Pakistan could assist Uzbek side in livestock feed technology, semen production, processing and preservation and disease diagnostics in livestock and their control. Moreover, Joint ventures for crop improvement through conventional and biotechnological approaches. Federal Minister Mehboob Sultan said that Pakistan will work with Uzbekistan in areas of mutual interests and will facilitate ease of business between two nations, as Uzbekistan and Pakistan have a large agro trade. and coming Joint Inter-Governmental Commission (JIGC) would provide opportunity to make new agreements and renew the old ones in the best interest of both the nations. The JIGC meeting is likely to be held in the last quarter of this year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Uzbek Ambassador suggested that before the JIGC, a joint working group me be formulated to finalize all the matters between two partners. Moreover he said that Uzbekistan is keenly looking forward for a free trade agreement with Pakistan to facilitate the trade between the two countries and it would be a main agenda item of the JIGC. The cooperation regarding cotton is very important; the exchange of elite germplasm/genetic resources of cotton is one of the major focuses. *-*-*-*
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