Today, high-level government officials, led by Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, convened with a delegation from Uzbekistan, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev. This significant meeting took place at the Chahar Chinar Palace of Arg on Sunday, October 29th.
Representatives from key sectors, including agriculture, water and energy, mining, and transportation, were present at the gathering. The discussions during this visit encompassed various aspects, such as trade, transit, economic ties, railways, transportation, technical mining operations in Afghanistan, water management, agricultural development, and the prospect of higher education opportunities in Uzbekistan for Afghan youth.
Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund highlighted the historical cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, emphasizing their longstanding collaboration in security, politics, and economics. He noted that the exchange of high-level delegations demonstrates the evolving bilateral relationship, with a focus on advancing trade and transit.
Honorable Mullah Baradar Akhund underlined Afghanistan’s commitment to serving as a pivotal transit point in the region. In line with this vision, they have invested in road reconstruction to enhance connectivity between South and Central Asian nations. He also raised the issue of high transit fees on Afghan cargo traveling through Uzbekistan and called for a reduction.
Honorable Mullah Baradar Akhund praised the balanced trade relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and anticipated a significant increase in Afghan exports to Uzbekistan. In light of this, he encouraged Uzbekistan to consider special preferential tariffs and friendly trade interactions.
Honorable Jamshid Khodjaev, leading the Uzbek delegation, expressed Uzbekistan's readiness to collaborate with Afghanistan in various sectors, including agriculture, transportation, railways, trade, transit, water management, and mining. Technical committees from both sides will work together on these initiatives.
Mr. Khodjaev unveiled a trade route map designed to boost Afghanistan's exports to Uzbekistan, with the goal of increasing the trade volume between the two countries to approximately three billion dollars. Uzbekistan has also simplified the visa acquisition process for Afghan businessmen and drivers, with plans to host an exhibition of Afghan products in Tashkent and offer a large business center in Termiz for Afghan businessmen.
Concluding the meeting, Honorable Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's humanitarian assistance to the Herat earthquake victims and emphasized the significance of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
