KABUL: The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev and his accompanying delegation on Sunday at the Arg (Presidential Palace) to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation.
According to a statement from the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the two sides discussed strengthening trade, investment, transit, and economic relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
Baradar said closer cooperation between Kabul and Tashkent could serve the economic interests of both countries while contributing to regional stability. He reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to make greater use of existing opportunities to deepen economic ties and joint cooperation with Uzbekistan.
He also called for improved implementation of the two countries’ joint cooperation framework, including facilitating Afghan exports to Uzbekistan, easing transit procedures, expanding exports of agricultural products, fresh and dried fruits, food products, and minerals, developing transit infrastructure, strengthening customs cooperation, simplifying visa issuance for Afghan citizens, and enhancing collaboration in the energy sector.
During the meeting, Jamshid Khodjayev said that bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has increased to approximately $1.6 billion.
He added that Uzbekistan is prepared to accelerate the implementation of projects by Uzbek investors in Afghanistan, address existing obstacles, and launch new initiatives considered important for the economic growth of both countries.
Khodjayev also announced Uzbekistan’s willingness to invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector, increase imports of Afghan meat and cotton, and establish a $50 million zinc processing plant in Hairatan.
He further said Uzbek authorities would expand cooperation with their Afghan counterparts in the fields of transport, energy, agriculture, banking, trade, economic relations, and capacity building.
The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and advance previously agreed economic, trade, transit, investment, and joint development initiatives between Kabul and Tashkent.