ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari called for further broadening bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in trade, economy, culture and tourism.

Talking to Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Zardari said that Pakistan attached utmost importance to its ties with Uzbekistan, which were centuries old and based on shared religion, culture and history. He said that both countries had great potential to increase bilateral trade and economic ties for mutual benefit of two sides. He highlighted that Pakistan was committed to regional connectivity and Central Asian countries needed to take advantage of its geographic location.

He suggested barter trade and using local currency to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, besides opening banks in two countries to facilitate and improve business and commercial relations.  Bakhtiyor Saidov called for developing roadmap to further deepen bilateral ties and accelerate partnership for mutual benefit of two countries. He urged need for an action plan to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expressed hope that transport corridor between two countries would further improve bilateral ties.