Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, said on Sunday Afghanistan has the potential to connect South Asia with Central Asia through data transit.

Speaking at the opening of a communications and information technology exhibition in Kabul, Baradar described the development of the communications and IT sectors as one of the Islamic Emirate’s key priorities.

“Advancing the communications and technology sector in line with the demands of the modern era is our responsibility,” Baradar said. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seeks to gradually use existing resources to become competitive with countries in the region and around the world.”

Baradar added that since the Islamic Emirate returned to power, Afghanistan has made progress in communications and information technology, while also achieving gains in digital governance.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi stressed the importance of expanding digital governance, saying: “All government institutions should deliver their services through digital systems and connect with other government agencies to provide greater convenience for our fellow citizens.”

Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi also announced plans to simplify and digitize export procedures.

“Simplifying and digitizing government is one of our aspirations. We have an export program and a system integration project underway, which will be launched soon,” he said.

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdul Ahad Fazli said that telecommunications services would be expanded across the country.

“The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is at your service, especially in provinces and remote areas that have been deprived of telecommunications services,” Fazli said.

Telecommunications companies also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding telecom and internet services across Afghanistan. Company officials said they would continue working alongside the government to further develop the technology sector.

Aliullah Sarwari, CEO of Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), said: “We are committed to investing in the telecommunications sector and improving service quality. Most remote areas are now covered by telecommunications services. God willing, we will also cooperate with the authorities to further enhance service quality.”

The Communications and Information Technology Exhibition was held in Kabul with the participation of government officials and companies operating in the technology sector. At the conclusion of the exhibition, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology signed several memorandums of understanding with government agencies to expand digital services and facilitate the delivery of public services.

Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met on Sunday with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khojayev, and his accompanying delegation at the Chahar Chinar Palace in the Arg to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation.

The two sides held talks on strengthening economic, trade, investment, and transit cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Baradar said stronger and more stable relations between Kabul and Tashkent would not only serve the economic interests of both countries but also contribute to regional stability. He added that the Islamic Emirate is ready to use all available capacities to further strengthen and expand bilateral ties.

He emphasized the effective implementation of the joint action plan between the two countries, describing it as an important step toward boosting economic growth.

Baradar also identified several priority areas for cooperation, including removing obstacles to the movement of Afghan export vehicles to Uzbekistan, granting exemptions for Afghan transit goods arriving from China, Central Asia, and Russia, facilitating exports of Afghanistan’s agricultural products, fresh and dried fruits, food products, and valuable minerals to the markets of Central Asia, Russia, and China, increasing the capacity of transit infrastructure, expanding customs facilities, easing the issuance of visas for Afghan citizens, and enhancing cooperation in the energy sector and joint infrastructure projects.

He said broader cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan would not only elevate bilateral economic relations but could also serve as a model of good neighborly relations for other countries in the region.

For his part, Khojayev said Uzbekistan is prepared to invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector and increase imports of Afghan meat and cotton.

He also announced Uzbekistan’s readiness to build a $50 million zinc processing plant in Hairatan.

Khojayev added that the Uzbek delegation would work with relevant institutions of the Islamic Emirate in the areas of transport, energy, agricultural development, banking, trade, economic cooperation, and capacity-building for Afghan citizens.

Afghanistan’s Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, met on Sunday at the Gulkhana Palace with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khojayev, who arrived this weekend in Kabul leading a high-level delegation.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, and Abdul Ghafar Bahr, Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Uzbekistan.

At the outset of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Khojayev said the purpose of the visit by the high-level Uzbek delegation, comprising ministers, deputy ministers, business leaders, and investors, was to strengthen the economic and political relations between the two countries.

Referring to the cordial ties between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, he said Afghanistan holds an important place in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.

He added that, under the directives of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the primary objective of the visit is to begin the practical implementation of commitments made in the areas of investment and trade so that both countries can see tangible results.

Khojayev said Afghanistan’s total exports to Uzbekistan reached US$150 million last year. Since the beginning of the current year, exports have reached US$111 million, and the figure is expected to increase further by the end of the year.

He also stated that Uzbekistan has so far issued 5,000 visas to Afghan nationals, reflecting the continued expansion of friendship and economic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Khojayev and the accompanying delegation, describing the visit as significant for strengthening bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

He said the visit of the high-level Uzbek delegation and the expansion of economic cooperation demonstrate Uzbekistan’s strong confidence in Afghanistan’s future.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Akhund assured the Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister that Afghanistan welcomes stronger relations with the friendly and brotherly country and remains fully committed to implementing the commitments that have been made.