KABUL: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, during his visit to Azerbaijan, met with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, Baradar’s office said in a statement yesterday.
During the meeting, Baradar expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s supportive position regarding Afghanistan on the global stage. He noted a 60% increase in trade between the two countries, stating that bilateral trade now amounts to one billion dollars.
He expressed hope that trade levels between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan would rise to two billion dollars in the future.
Meanwhile, President Mirziyoyev stated that Uzbekistan has been working to reflect the current realities of Afghanistan on the global stage, particularly within the United Nations.
Mirziyoyev also expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to invest in the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat and Kandahar railway projects, establish textile factories, cement production, oil refineries, and explore and process salt mines, as well as in e-governance and other sectors in Afghanistan.
He noted that if the 500-kilometer electricity transmission project is completed sooner, Uzbekistan’s electricity exports to Afghanistan will also increase.
The two sides agreed to activate specific working channels to commence practical activities in the relevant sectors.
The meeting between Afghan and Uzbek officials took place in the city of Khanakendi in Azerbaijan.
It is noteworthy that Uzbek officials have previously urged the international community to provide opportunities for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to participate in global meetings.