LAHORE, March 17. /Dunyo IA/. The Khokim (Governor) of the Tashkent region Zoyir Mirzaev and Ambassador of Uzbekistan Alisher Tukhtaev, held a meeting in the Pakistani city of Lahore with the Secretary of the Agriculture Department of Punjab province, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and Secretary of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Ahmed Aziz Tarar, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Pakistani side warmly recalled their visit to Uzbekistan in 2023. It was also noted that Pakistan closely follows the large-scale reforms carried out in the agricultural sector under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and gives them high praise. Special emphasis was placed on the effective organization of cotton cultivation and the activities of cotton clusters in Uzbekistan.

The importance of establishing cooperation to implement Uzbekistan's advanced experience in developing cotton clusters in Pakistan was highlighted.

Representatives of our country familiarized themselves with the capabilities of Punjab province in the fields of agriculture and livestock. It was noted that Punjab is the largest producer of agricultural products in Pakistan, accounting for about 70 percent of the country's total agricultural output. The province primarily grows potatoes, wheat, sugar cane, citrus fruits, rice, corn and other crops.

The province also holds leading positions in the livestock sector. Specifically, it accounts for 62 percent of milk production, 43 percent of beef, 33 percent of goat meat and 65 percent of poultry meat in Pakistan.

Pakistani side expressed interest in cooperating with Uzbekistan on the export of dairy products, beef, and poultry, as well as in conducting research and development in artificial insemination and genetics for breeding pedigree livestock. Furthermore, readiness was voiced for collaboration at all stages of raw hide and leather processing.

Representatives of the Tashkent region, in turn, put forward proposals for organizing scientific research in rice cultivation and establishing a joint venture, developing potato farming based on Pakistani experience and creating a research center for seed production and joint breeding of high-yield potato varieties. The implementation of joint projects in the meat production sector was also considered.

The initiative to establish trading houses and logistics centers in the Tashkent region and Punjab province, as well as the opening of showrooms to demonstrate textile and leather products, was supported.

The parties expressed confidence that these initiatives will contribute to the further strengthening of economic cooperation between the two regions.