Afghan and Uzbek firms sign $300m in deals at trade conference

Afghan and Uzbek traders have signed 25 agreements worth more than $300 million at a business conference, as officials from both sides said trade ties are expanding rapidly and could grow further in the coming years.

At the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Business Connectivity Conference, attended by senior officials and private-sector representatives, both sides said the deals covered sectors including construction, food products, agriculture, furniture, clothing and pharmaceuticals.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce said there was strong political will to deepen ties, adding that this had already produced significant growth in trade.

“There is strong will to expand relations between the two countries,” he said, adding that this had led to “unprecedented growth in ties in recent years”.

He also pointed to the rise in bilateral trade, saying volumes in 2025 had increased by nearly 153% compared with 2024, and that there was still room for further expansion.

In further comments at the conference, the minister said: “We must be beneficial to one another. Transportation costs are low, visa issues have been eased, and there are currently no problems. Most importantly, there is strong will to expand relations between the two countries.” 

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Officials also referred to a preferential trade arrangement covering eight Afghan export items and six from Uzbekistan, describing it as a step towards broader cooperation.

The governor of Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region said the visit to Kabul was aimed at deepening economic ties beyond basic trade.

“We must expand not only trade with Afghanistan, but also industrial cooperation, the establishment of joint companies, and the creation of value-added chains,” he said.

The head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment described the conference as an opportunity to attract investment, saying a secure environment had helped create conditions for economic growth.

The new agreements come as economic links between Kabul and Tashkent have strengthened in recent years. Officials say dozens of earlier deals have also been signed, reflecting a push by both sides to turn geography into a trade advantage.

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