Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed business agreements worth $4.5 million, strengthening trade ties between the neighboring nations, Trend reports.
The deals were finalized during trade meetings in Kabul, attended by Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mawlawi Ahmadullah Zahid. An Uzbek delegation, including government officials and private sector representatives, visited Afghanistan to follow up on commitments made during the visit of Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.
Discussions between Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, and the Uzbek delegation focused on boosting trade, supporting Uzbek private sector initiatives, and enhancing coordination on prior agreements. Key topics included Uzbekistan’s interest in importing Afghan coal to balance trade relations.
Afghanistan welcomed Uzbekistan’s private sector involvement and proposed hosting up to five national product exhibitions annually at the Termez International Trade Center. The talks also covered finalizing a preferential trade agreement, resolving issues concerning the cement factory in Samangan province, and establishing trade houses in both countries.
In 2024, trade turnover between the two nations stood at $1.13 billion, with Afghanistan importing $1.08 billion worth of Uzbek goods. The countries have previously signed 35 trade and investment agreements worth $2.5 billion, aiming to elevate trade volume to $3 billion.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, which share a border and deep cultural ties, continue to expand economic cooperation, with northern Afghanistan hosting over 3.5 million ethnic Uzbeks—the second-largest Uzbek population worldwide after Uzbekistan.
