ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has said that joint ventures in various areas can boost regional trade and tourism as well as enhance regional integration.

The Minister was talking to Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Furqat Sidiqov, who called on him here. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, Member Infrastructure and senior officials of the ministry were also present in the meeting.

The Uzbek ambassador informed the minister that a proposal for 700 km long railway line is in the pipeline which will pass through Uzbekistan, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Khusro Bakhtyar said that the project will boost regional trade and connectivity benefiting the member countries.

The Minister apprised that other infrastructure projects are also in pipeline for development of North-South connectivity besides the proposed corridor between Torkham and Dushanbe.

He stated that Uzbekistan and Pakistan enjoy excellent relations and noted with appreciation that bilateral cooperation has increased manifold in various areas. He emphasised the need to explore more possibilities of cooperation and initiate joint ventures in oil and gas , agriculture, food, textile, construction and infrastructure areas.