Afghanistan and Uzbekistan signed 22 trade agreements worth more than $200 million during a business forum in Kabul on Sunday, as officials from both countries pledged to deepen economic cooperation and expand trade and investment.
The agreements were signed between private sector representatives during the Afghan-Uzbek Business Forum, according to Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC).
The event was attended by Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khodjaev, along with ministers, governors and business representatives from both countries.
Addressing the forum, Azizi said the visit by Uzbekistan's delegation reflected the growing relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
Summarising his remarks, the ministry said Azizi highlighted the size of the Uzbek delegation and the opportunities for closer economic ties. He said: "Relations between the two countries had reached a new high with the visit of Uzbekistan's high-level delegation, accompanied by around 300 private sector representatives." He added that he hoped bilateral trade would reach $5 billion through stronger commercial cooperation.
Azizi also encouraged businesses from both countries to invest in Afghanistan, saying investment would help create jobs following the return of Afghan migrants.
The ministry said around 10,000 tonnes of Afghan cotton had been exported to Uzbekistan on a trial basis and that Uzbekistan had committed to purchasing 100,000 tonnes of Afghan cotton.
According to the ministry, Khodjaev welcomed the expansion of bilateral ties and said: "Measures to facilitate trade include opening new transport routes, offering preferential tariffs, accelerating cargo movement, and establishing logistics centres." He added that Afghanistan had significant potential to contribute to regional trade and economic cooperation.
Separately, Afghanistan's Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said Minister Hedayatullah Badri met Khodjaev and his delegation to discuss expanding cooperation in the mining sector.
Summarising the outcome of the meeting, the ministry said both sides reviewed the implementation of the Kundalan Copper Mine exploration agreement and the Toti Maidan Gas Project.
It added: "Both sides emphasized the importance of further expanding investment in Afghanistan's mining sector and strengthening joint economic cooperation between the two countries."
The meetings form part of ongoing efforts by Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to increase trade, investment and regional economic connectivity.
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