Category: Islamabad

Tashkent: Uzbekistan is prioritizing stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with Malaysia, as both nations mark the 33rd anniversary of their diplomatic relations with commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation by high-level visits, strategic agreements, and an expanding trade and investment partnership.

Madina Aripova, Chief Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan on Monday, highlighted that fostering friendly relations and enhancing multifaceted partnerships with Malaysia remains a key focus of Uzbekistan's foreign policy in Asia.

Uzbekistan and Malaysia have maintained a steady diplomatic exchange through six high-level visits, reinforcing their commitment to intergovernmental dialogue. The establishment of parliamentary 'friendship groups' in 2020 significantly boosted inter-parliamentary cooperation, facilitating reciprocal visits by top legislative officials.

Regular political consultations between the foreign ministries have further strengthened bilateral ties, with six rounds of discussions addressing key regional and global issues. Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister visited Malaysia twice in 2024, underscoring the importance of ongoing diplomatic engagements.

Economic collaboration between the two countries has grown substantially, with bilateral trade turnover increasing 2.5 times since 2020. The Uzbek-Malaysian Business Forum in Samarkand, held during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit in May 2024, resulted in investment agreements worth over $3 billion.

To accelerate economic ties, both nations upgraded their bilateral Trade Committee into an Intergovernmental Commission, which held its inaugural session in Kuala Lumpur in May 2024. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated Uzbek-Malaysian industrial zone, focusing on high-tech projects.

A key area of industrial cooperation is semiconductor production, where Malaysia is a global leader. With Uzbekistan possessing significant rare earth metal resources, both countries are exploring joint ventures in semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics.

In the pharmaceutical sector, Malaysia's robust industry, valued at $1.7 billion in 2024, presents opportunities for collaboration. Uzbekistan wants to establish joint pharmaceutical ventures and conduct research partnerships.

Islamic finance is emerging as another critical domain of cooperation. Malaysia, recognized as an international hub for Islamic banking, has an advanced Shariah-compliant financial system. Uzbekistan is keen on leveraging Malaysian expertise to develop its Islamic banking sector and train financial specialists.

The halal industry presents further avenues for collaboration. Malaysia, a global leader in halal certification, has been working with Uzbekistan since 2018 to develop its halal standards. Strengthening this partnership is expected to enhance Uzbekistan's integration into global halal supply chains.

Tourism cooperation is also on the rise, with Malaysian visitors to Uzbekistan doubling from 4,396 in 2023 to 8,854 in 2024. The countries enjoy a 30-day visa-free regime, and Uzbekistan's historical Islamic sites, including those in Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva, are attracting growing interest. Uzbekistan's recognition at Malaysia's 2024 tourism awards as the 'Best Asian Travel Destination with Rich Architectural Heritage' highlights its potential as a key player in ziyorat tourism.

Education remains a cornerstone of bilateral ties, with approximately 500 Uzbek students currently studying in Malaysia. Since 2021, the Binary International University branch in Urgench has been training specialists in management, IT, and entrepreneurship. Uzbekistan seeks further cooperation with Malaysian universities in areas like green energy, artificial intelligence, and creative industries.

Cultural and humanitarian exchanges continue to thrive through joint conferences, exhibitions, and academic programs. The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program has provided advanced training for over 850 Uzbek professionals.

With shared goals under Uzbekistan-2030 and Malaysia MADANI development programs, both countries are poised to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's collaborative efforts have injected fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation.

The deepening engagement across multiple sectors underscores the enduring friendship between Uzbekistan and Malaysia, paving the way for sustained economic growth, cultural enrichment, and strategic collaboration on regional and global platforms.

Islamabad: The import of mobile phones into the country has witnessed a decrease of 7.46 percent during the first six months of the current fiscal year (2024-25) as compared to the corresponding months of last year.

Pakistan imported mobile phones worth US $ 733.425 million during July-December (2024-25) as compared to the imports of US $ 792.581 million during July-December (2023-24), according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Meanwhile, on a year-to-year basis, the import of mobile phones also dipped by 7.27 percent during the month of December 2024 when compared to the same month of last year.

The import of mobiles into the country during December 2024 was recorded at $ 163.257 million against the exports of $176.063 million in December 2023.

On a month-on-month basis, the imports of mobile phones however increased by 9.29 percent during December 2024, as compared to the imports of US $149.375 million during November 2024, according to the data.

It is pertinent to mention here that the overall merchandized exports from the country increased by 11.04 percent during the first half of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding months of last year.

Exports during July-December (2024-25) were recorded at $16.639 billion against $14.985 billion during July-December (2023-24), according to PBS data.

On the other hand, imports into the country went up by 6.52 percent by growing from $26.137 million last year to $27.842 million during the first six months of the current year.

Based on the figures, the trade deficit during the months under review was recorded at $11.203 billion against the deficit of $11.152 billion last year, showing a slight increase of 0.46 percent.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari said that as a nation and as part of the global community, they reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against cancer.

'This day is a reminder of the profound challenges posed by this disease and an opportunity to inspire hope through collective action, innovation, and resilience,' the president said in a message on the occasion of World Cancer Day being observed on February 04.

As they observed World Cancer Day, the president said that it was essential to recognise the gravity of this disease as it was one of the largest causes of death.

Rapid urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and limited awareness had further compounded this challenge. This called for renewed commitment and intensified efforts to alleviate the burden of this disease, he added.

'The Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with provincial governments, healthcare institutions, and global partners, is making efforts to address this issue. We have initiated measures to strengthen our healthcare infrastructure, conduct a comprehensive situation analysis of cancer interventions, develop national and provincial cancer strategies, and mobilise resources through innovative public-private partnerships,' the president said.

Cancer was not only a health issue but also a societal challenge requiring collective efforts, he said, stressing that they needed to raise awareness about the disease and, in this regard, the support of the media was highly important to educate the people about its symptoms, prevention and early detection.

'I firmly believe that we can overcome this challenge through the active support of civil society, media, community-based organizations, and international partners. On this occasion, I urge all citizens, healthcare professionals, civil society, and the private sector to join hands in this noble cause. Together, we can ensure that every individual, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and compassionate care,' President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

The president said that they should pledge to make cancer prevention and control a national priority, expressing his confidence that together, they could bring hope and healing to those affected and honour the lives of those who had been lost to this disease. ***EMBARGOED TILL 2359 HRS ON MONDAY***

Islamabad: The import of mobile phones into the country has witnessed a decrease of 7.46 percent during the first six months of the current fiscal year (2024-25) as compared to the corresponding months of last year.

Pakistan imported mobile phones worth US $ 733.425 million during July-December (2024-25) as compared to the imports of US $ 792.581 million during July-December (2023-24), according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Meanwhile, on a year-to-year basis, the import of mobile phones also dipped by 7.27 percent during the month of December 2024 when compared to the same month of last year.

The import of mobiles into the country during December 2024 was recorded at $ 163.257 million against the exports of $176.063 million in December 2023.

On a month-on-month basis, the imports of mobile phones however increased by 9.29 percent during December 2024, as compared to the imports of US $149.375 million during November 2024, according to the data.

It is pertinent to mention here that the overall merchandized exports from the country increased by 11.04 percent during the first half of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding months of last year.

Exports during July-December (2024-25) were recorded at $16.639 billion against $14.985 billion during July-December (2023-24), according to PBS data.

On the other hand, imports into the country went up by 6.52 percent by growing from $26.137 million last year to $27.842 million during the first six months of the current year.

Based on the figures, the trade deficit during the months under review was recorded at $11.203 billion against the deficit of $11.152 billion last year, showing a slight increase of 0.46 percent.

Islamabad: President of the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF), Syed Azhar Ali Shah is contesting for a position on the Management Committee in the elections, to be held in Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Congress meeting at Bangkok, Thailand, on February 6.

Shah along with Nisar Ahmad International Relation director PCF will attend the ACC Congress meeting. They will depart for Thailand on Monday, to represent Pakistan at this significant gathering of Asian cycling leaders, said a press release.

The ACC Congress is a key event where elections will be held to select the new President and members of the Management Committee of ACC.

Shah is contesting for a position on the Management Committee, a move that reflects Pakistan's increasing engagement in the development of cycling at the continental level.

His participation in the ACC Congress is expected to strengthen Pakistan's role in international cycling and open new opportunities for the development of the sport in the country.

Shah has been a strong advocate for the promotion of cycling in Pakistan and has played a vital role in organizing national and international events under the banner of PCF.

This participation will also provide an opportunity to discuss potential collaborations, training programs, and sponsorships that could benefit Pakistani cyclists.

PCF remains committed to enhancing the standard of cycling in the country and ensuring that Pakistani riders get maximum exposure on international platforms.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb during a meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan Abdulrahman A. AlMarshad, shared updates on Pakistan's macroeconomic stability, highlighting improvements in key economic indicators.

The minister expressed gratitude for the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of Saudi Arabia's continued support in funding and investment, which has significantly contributed to Pakistan's economic growth.

He recalled his recent meeting with Saudi Minister of Finance, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, in Davos, and his extending an invitation to Pakistan to attend the first edition of the high-level annual conference on challenges and opportunities facing emerging market economies, which is being jointly organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, on February 16-17, 2025.

The finance minister expressed his anticipation for the conference, noting the valuable insights he hoped to gain from the event and the leadership of Saudi Arabia in implementing Vision 2030.

On the occasion, Sultan Abdulrahman A. AlMarshad lauded the progress Pakistan has made in terms of macroeconomic stability and growth, which has opened up numerous multi-purpose investment opportunities across various sectors.

He particularly noted the potential for further collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, inviting investors from the Kingdom to explore these emerging opportunities.

He acknowledged the valuable contributions of Pakistanis in the development of Saudi Arabia, recognizing them as the largest foreign workforce in the Kingdom.

He expressed Saudi Arabia's need for a skilled workforce to meet the demands of its growing market. To address this, he proposed a partnership with relevant government ministries and departments in Pakistan to offer training programs for young Pakistanis in modern and relevant skill sets to meet the labor market demands in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting underscored the strong ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and set the stage for further economic collaboration, with a focus on investment, workforce development, and expanding bilateral cooperation.