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Uzbekistan denies reports of lowered electricity export rates to Afghanistan

The National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan says no plans have been made to amend the tariffs of electricity exported to Afghanistan

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Uzbekistan’s electricity supply company has said there has been no changes to tariffs for electricity exports to Afghanistan. 

According to a statement issued by the National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan, no plans have been made to amend the tariffs although an agreement was reached to expand the project to build the Surkhon-Pul-e-Khumri 220-500 kV power transmission line by constructing additional substations and networks.

Last months, “a delegation headed by the acting Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, visited our country.

“During the bilateral meetings, issues of further expansion of mutually beneficial relations, consistent development of cooperation in trade, economic, energy, transport and other spheres were discussed in detail,” the statement read.

“As a result of the project optimization and the increase in the share of localized materials in construction, a preliminary agreement was reached to reduce the construction cost from 252 million to 222 million US dollars. 

“The contract is currently in the process of being agreed upon and will be signed after the negotiations are completed.

“At the same time, no official changes were made to the tariffs for electricity supplies to Afghanistan,” the statement read.

In December last year Uzbekistan extended its agreement to export electricity to Afghanistan for 2025.

After talks in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan’s energy company Uzenergosotish and Afghanistan’s DABS signed a power purchase agreement for electricity supplies this year.

The sides also conducted “comprehensive and detailed” technical discussions regarding the construction of the Surkhan to Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul power line. 

Once operational, the project is expected to supply Afghanistan with 24 million kWh of electricity daily, amounting to 6 billion kWh annually. 

The transmission line will span 245.6 kilometers, with 45 kilometers on Uzbekistan’s side and 200.6 kilometers within Afghanistan.

Currently, Afghanistan produces only 20% of its electricity domestically, importing the remaining 80% from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. 

Agreements with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were renewed in late November and early December, respectively.

In September 2019, Uzbekistan’s National Electric Networks signed a 10-year contract with DABS for electricity exports. At the time, deputy energy minister Sherzod Khodjaev stated that initial supplies would amount to 4.2 billion kWh annually, with plans to increase the volume to 6 billion kWh over time.

Uzbekistan has been supplying electricity to Afghanistan since 2002. Over the years, the volume of supplies has grown significantly, from 62 million kWh in the initial years to 2.6 billion kWh by the end of 2019. 

In 2023, Uzbekistan exported 1.82 billion kWh of electricity to Afghanistan, valued at $91.18 million (approximately 5 cents per kWh).

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Afghanistan and Uzbekistan agree on export of 100,000 tons of Bamyan potatoes

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Cooperation between the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment and the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce has paved the way for exporting potatoes from Bamyan province to the Uzbek market.

In this regard, Sayed Karim Hashemi, President of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, and Doran Vahabov, President of the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, have agreed on the export of 100,000 tons of Bamyan potatoes to Uzbekistan. Work is underway to finalize the export agreement.

Meanwhile, the first shipment of potatoes, consisting of eight trucks, has departed for the Uzbek city of Termez through the Hairatan Port.

The chambers of commerce of both countries, in cooperation with local authorities in Bamyan, have facilitated connections between traders and farmers and coordinated the purchasing, marketing, and transportation of the produce. This initiative is expected to expand market opportunities for Bamyan farmers and strengthen trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

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Afghan deputy commerce minister travels to India for trade fair in Delhi

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Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ahmadullah Zahid, has travelled to India to attend the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 in New Delhi.

The ministry said Zahid is scheduled to meet senior Indian government officials, trade representatives and investors during the visit.

Discussions are expected to focus on expanding bilateral trade and economic relations, increasing trade between the two countries, exploring new markets for Afghan products and identifying opportunities for joint investment.

The ministry said the visit aims to strengthen trade cooperation, promote Afghanistan’s production and export potential, and create new opportunities for economic engagement between Kabul and New Delhi.

The 45th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 takes place from November 13 to November 27 in New Delhi.

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Afghanistan hosts dialogue on Islamic microfinance to expand access to Sharia-compliant financial services

Participants also explored practical solutions and future steps to strengthen the sector, emphasizing the importance of cooperation, knowledge-sharing and better coordination among relevant institutions.

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A dialogue on Islamic microfinance was held in Kabul on Wednesday, bringing together representatives of financial institutions, government authorities, international partners and Afghanistan’s microfinance sector to discuss ways of expanding inclusive financial services in the country.

The event was organized by The Liaison Office in coordination with the Afghanistan Microfinance Association (AMA), Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) and the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul.

Participants discussed opportunities and challenges facing the development of Islamic microfinance services, with a focus on expanding access to financial products that comply with Islamic Sharia principles.

Representatives of AMA, Da Afghanistan Bank and the Indonesian Ambassador to Afghanistan delivered keynote remarks, highlighting the current situation of the microfinance sector, international experiences and opportunities for developing diverse Islamic financial products.

Two panel discussions focused on major challenges facing microfinance institutions, including structural barriers to growth, limited access to capital, funding and liquidity constraints, difficulties in securing guarantees, and the long-term sustainability of Islamic microfinance services.

Participants also explored practical solutions and future steps to strengthen the sector, emphasizing the importance of cooperation, knowledge-sharing and better coordination among relevant institutions.

The dialogue concluded with calls for stronger collaboration among financial institutions and development partners to improve access to inclusive, sustainable and Sharia-compliant financial services across Afghanistan.

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