Business
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan sign $300m worth of trade agreements
Turdimov underscored the long-standing historical and economic links between the two nations and noted the active role of Afghan traders in the Syrdarya region.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed 25 commercial memorandums of understanding worth more than $300 million, marking a significant boost to bilateral economic cooperation.
The agreements were concluded at a trade connectivity conference attended by Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, and the Governor of Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region, Erkinjon Turdimov, along with senior officials and business leaders from both countries.
Azizi said there is strong political and economic momentum behind expanding bilateral ties, noting that trade between the two sides has grown at an unprecedented pace in recent years. He added that both countries aim to increase trade volumes in 2025 compared to 2024, pointing to significant untapped potential.
He also highlighted preferential trade arrangements covering eight Afghan export items and six Uzbek products.
Turdimov underscored the long-standing historical and economic links between the two nations and noted the active role of Afghan traders in the Syrdarya region.
He called for deeper cooperation in industry and manufacturing, encouraged joint development projects, and outlined Uzbekistan’s investment opportunities, including access to European export markets.
The newly signed agreements span key sectors such as construction, food products, agriculture, furniture, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, reflecting growing private-sector confidence and signaling a new phase in Afghanistan–Uzbekistan economic partnership.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for the removal of obstacles to economic cooperation and greater facilitation of trade and transit between Iran and Afghanistan.
At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Pezeshkian on Wednesday, officials reviewed a report on Iran’s agriculture minister’s recent visit to Afghanistan and the latest developments in economic ties between the two countries.
According to the report, Afghan officials welcomed closer relations with Iran and expressed readiness to increase bilateral trade and expand economic cooperation.
The meeting also focused on key challenges facing trade between the two countries, including customs procedures, the movement of vehicles through border crossings and delays in transporting goods.
Pezeshkian stressed the strategic importance of economic ties with Afghanistan and called for stronger cooperation. He instructed relevant authorities to take practical steps to address obstacles to trade and transit and improve the movement of goods across the border.
Business
Afghanistan, Kuwait explore new investment and trade opportunities
The Afghan Embassy in Kuwait said the talks focused on Afghanistan’s security and stability, economic potential and available investment opportunities.
Afghanistan and Kuwait have discussed expanding trade and investment cooperation during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kuwait, Mohammad Shafiq Khatib, and prominent Kuwaiti investor Ajeej Khalaf, along with a number of businessmen and investors.
The Afghan Embassy in Kuwait said the talks focused on Afghanistan’s security and stability, economic potential and available investment opportunities.
The sides stressed the importance of strengthening trade and economic ties and expanding investment cooperation between the two countries.
Khatib invited Kuwaiti businessmen and investors to visit Afghanistan, explore investment opportunities and consider investing in various sectors of the Afghan economy.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan seeks to attract more foreign investment and strengthen economic and commercial ties with regional and international partners.
Business
Azizi: Afghanistan ready to attract Chinese and Uzbek investment
On the sidelines of the conference, Azizi and his delegation visited an exhibition showcasing Uzbek products and manufactured goods.
Afghanistan is ready to attract investment from Chinese and Uzbek companies across key sectors of the economy, Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi said at a trade conference in Uzbekistan’s Termez.
Speaking at the Surkhandarya–China Trade Conference, Azizi said recent exchanges between Afghan, Uzbek and Chinese officials and business delegations had opened new opportunities for trade, transit and investment.
He described China as a key economic partner and an important player in strengthening regional connectivity, while emphasizing the need to increase Afghan exports to regional markets, particularly China.
Azizi said Afghanistan was prepared to facilitate investment by Chinese and Uzbek companies in mining, agriculture, food processing, energy, manufacturing, machinery and economic infrastructure.
He also called for the development of new transit corridors linking Central Asia with China, saying Afghan exports could be transported through Uzbekistan’s trade networks to China and other regional markets.
The minister said joint investment and the processing of Afghanistan’s raw materials inside the country could create sustainable and mutually beneficial economic opportunities across the region.
Officials from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and China, as well as private-sector representatives, attended the conference.
Balkh Governor Mohammad Yousuf Wafa highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and the investment opportunities available in Balkh province.
On the sidelines of the conference, Azizi and his delegation visited an exhibition showcasing Uzbek products and manufactured goods.
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