Afghan, Uzbek businesses deepen trade ties as investors eye mining projects

More than 100 Afghan business representatives travelled to Uzbekistan this week for a business forum aimed at expanding trade and investment, as Uzbek investors also expressed interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector.

 

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), led by Chairman Sayed Karim Hashemi, held the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Private Sector Business Forum in Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya Province.

According to the chamber, the event brought together more than 100 Afghan traders and hundreds of Uzbek business leaders to discuss bilateral trade, investment, regional cooperation and direct business partnerships.

The chamber said Hashemi highlighted investment opportunities across Afghanistan’s agriculture, mining, industry and transit sectors while encouraging Uzbek companies to invest in joint ventures.

Hashemi invited Uzbek investors to take part in joint projects in Afghanistan, particularly in agriculture, mining, industry and transit.

The ACCI said, “Mr Hashemi highlighted Afghanistan’s investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, industry, and transit, inviting Uzbek investors to participate in joint projects, including cotton cultivation and textile manufacturing in Helmand Province.”

The forum also included business-to-business meetings between Afghan and Uzbek companies and a visit to an exhibition showcasing Uzbek industrial products and manufacturing capabilities, according to the ACCI.

Investors eye mining sector

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said a delegation of Uzbek investors met the ministry’s Chief of Staff, Abdul Halim Adel, to discuss investment opportunities in the country’s mineral sector.

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According to the ministry, the Uzbek delegation expressed interest in investing in Afghanistan’s lead and zinc mines and establishing a processing plant for the minerals.

Welcoming the proposal, Adel said, “Afghanistan is one of the rich countries in mineral reserves. All local and foreign investors can participate in bidding processes and invest in the mining sector in accordance with the policies of the Islamic Emirate and the country’s applicable laws.”

He added that the ministry would provide “cooperation and support within the framework of mining laws and regulations” while working to create “suitable and great opportunities to attract investment in the mining sector.”

The latest meetings come as commercial links between the neighbouring countries continue to grow. According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, cited by Uzbek media, 205,937 Afghan citizens travelled to Uzbekistan for business purposes during the first six months of 2026, the highest number from any country. Turkmenistan and Tajikistan ranked second and third, respectively.

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