Islamabad, January 21, 2026: Uzbekistan has expressed strong interest in selling its 29 textile units producing yarn and fabric to Pakistani entrepreneurs and has proposed the establishment of a dedicated Uzbekistan–Pakistan Textile Industrial Zone in Uzbekistan, offering tax holidays to promote joint industrial growth and shared prosperity for the business communities of both countries.
The offer was made by Rukhullo Zikrillaev, Deputy Director of the Agency for Development of Light Industry of Uzbekistan, while leading an Uzbek delegation during a meeting with the leadership of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) at the Chamber House.
Addressing the meeting, Rukhullo Zikrillaev said Pakistani investors could acquire the textile units through flexible year-by-year installment plans spread over five years, supported by low-interest credit facilities and cashback guarantees. He added that Uzbek textile entrepreneurs are also keen to invest in Pakistani companies through joint venture arrangements, bringing high-quality Uzbek fabrics to Pakistan for the joint production of ready-made garments for major brands in Europe and the United States, thereby enhancing value addition and boosting exports.
He further offered cooperation with Pakistani textile sourcing companies by providing up to five percent cashback on their export proceeds from Uzbekistan. Highlighting Uzbekistan’s competitive cost structure, he said electricity tariffs in the country are as low as eight US cents per unit. He also noted that Uzbekistan enjoys GSP Plus status with Europe and free trade agreements with CIS countries, making it an attractive destination for export-oriented investments.
Welcoming the delegation, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood said Pakistan and Uzbekistan are fully aware of their immense potential in trade, transportation, energy, tourism, regional connectivity, and other key sectors. He expressed hope that the visit would inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations and help translate goodwill into tangible economic outcomes.
He reaffirmed ICCI’s commitment to strengthening international business linkages for Pakistan’s economic development and assured that the Chamber would actively disseminate the information shared by the Uzbek delegation to relevant stakeholders.
Senior Vice President ICCI Tahir Ayub said Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy cordial relations and emphasized the need to explore new avenues of cooperation for the benefit of the business communities and peoples of both countries. Advisor to ICCI President on Economy, Naeem Siddiqui, termed the incentives offered by the Uzbek side as highly attractive and significant for Pakistani investors.
The meeting was also attended by ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Executive Members Malik Mohsin Khalid, Raja Naveed Satti, Zulqurnain Abbasi, Rohail Anwar Butt, and other members of the business community. Muhajid Ali Khan, Deputy Director of the Uzbekistan Trade Center, and Ms. Nadia Aman, Secretary General of the Uzbekistan and CIS Trade Center, were also present.
