TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 3. Uzbekistan
and Afghanistan signed business agreements totaling $4.5 million,
Trend reports.
The agreements were concluded following trade meetings held in
Kabul in the presence of Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Industry
and Commerce Mawlawi Ahmadullah Zahid.
The Uzbek delegation, consisting of government officials and
private sector representatives, arrived in Kabul to implement
commitments made during the visit of Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister,
Mr. Abdulla Aripov. During their discussions with Afghanistan’s
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi,
both sides focused on enhancing trade, supporting Uzbekistan’s
private sector initiatives, and improving coordination on
previously agreed commitments.
The Uzbek delegation also briefed the Afghan side on their
meetings with officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and
Petroleum, as well as trade negotiations between private sector
representatives of both countries. One of the key topics discussed
was Uzbekistan’s interest in importing Afghan coal to balance trade
relations.
During the meeting, Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Industry
and Commerce welcomed Uzbekistan’s private sector initiatives and
proposed organizing up to five national product exhibitions
annually at the Termez International Trade Center. Further
discussions covered finalizing a preferential trade agreement,
addressing key issues related to the cement factory in Samangan
province, and establishing trade houses in both countries to
facilitate business cooperation.
Note that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan
amounted to $1.13 billion in 2024. Exports to Afghanistan reached
$1.08 billion, while imports totaled $44.9 million.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan share a border and possess certain
cultural connections. Northern Afghanistan hosts over 3.5 million
ethnic Uzbeks, being the second-largest Uzbek population globally,
following Uzbekistan. As regards economic relations between these
nations, in August 2024, 35 investment and trade agreements were
executed between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The total value of
these agreements is $2.5 billion, and as stated by Uzbekistan’s
Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, the objective is to
elevate trade volume between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to $3
billion.
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