After signing $2.5 billion worth of agreements with Afghanistan on Saturday, the prime minister of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Aripov, met with political deputy prime minister Mawlavi Abdul Kabir for talks on strengthening cooperation in various sectors.

Also in the meeting were Islamic Emirate cabinet members, including ministers of tribal and border affairs; information and culture; and higher education.

Aripov expressed Uzbekistan’s commitment to fostering economic and commercial partnerships with Afghanistan in numerous sectors including mining, electricity and agriculture.

He also affirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to support Afghanistan through initiatives such as the Trans-Afghan Corridor – a $4.8 billion railway project connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.

Kabir, in response, acknowledged the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations and reiterated the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to fostering positive relations with Uzbekistan and other regional and global partners, with a focus on prioritizing economic development.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir underscored the Islamic Emirate’s desire for recognition as the legitimate authority of Afghanistan by countries and international bodies, asserting that only the Islamic Emirate can effectively represent Afghanistan and its people on the international stage.

He expressed optimism regarding Afghanistan’s prospective involvement in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and underscored the commitment to ensuring that Afghanistan’s territory poses no threat to any nation.

Highlighting Afghanistan’s investment potential in various sectors, including mining, water, energy, transportation, and agriculture, Kabir encouraged investors, particularly those from Uzbekistan, to consider investing in Afghanistan.

In conclusion, the political deputy minister reiterated the Islamic Emirate’s readiness to participate in regional projects like TAPI and CASA-1000, emphasizing that Afghanistan’s stability and progress are essential for regional stability and development.

The meeting came after Saturday’s signing between the two countries of 35 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) valued at a total of $2.5 billion.

The MoUs include 12 investment agreements worth $1.4 billion and 23 trade agreements valued at $1.1 billion.

The deals were signed by Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, and Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov.

The implementation of these wide-ranging agreements is expected to significantly strengthen economic ties between the two neighboring countries and provide a major boost to bilateral trade. The agreements span various sectors including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

“This landmark signing is a testament to the strong political will and commitment of the leadership in both Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to deepen economic integration in the region,” said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund.

“We are confident that these agreements will create new avenues for investment, trade, and job creation, benefiting the people of both our nations.”

The signing comes amidst a broader push by the Afghan government to attract foreign investment and expand regional economic cooperation.