On 27 April 2026, business delegation from Pakistan, led by Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. (HRL Group), along with a consortium of South Korean companies, visited Republic of Uzbekistan to explore investment and collaboration opportunities. During the visit, the delegation met with Mr. Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The meeting was facilitated and collaborated by Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, whose strategic direction and proactive role were key in uniting stakeholders and driving meaningful bilateral collaboration. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Zeeshan Hanif Qureshi, COO of Capital Smart Innovations.

The discussion highlighted Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing tourism sector, which has welcomed over 11 million visitors and aims to position itself as a leading global destination. A key focus was the country’s forward-looking approach, emphasizing the integration of smart infrastructure, digital platforms, and innovation-driven development within the tourism ecosystem.

Key areas of discussion included the development of smart tourism infrastructure and digitally enabled destinations, integrated urban planning aligned with tourism growth, and the use of data-driven ecosystems to enhance visitor experiences. The dialogue also underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration to unlock regional connectivity and strengthen tourism flows across Central and South Asia.

Uzbekistan offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and modern innovation, presenting strong potential for partnerships that combine infrastructure development, advanced technology, and tourism. This engagement reflects a shared commitment to fostering long-term collaboration and unlocking new opportunities in a rapidly evolving sector.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with all participants expressing optimism about future partnerships and the transformative possibilities ahead.