Civil Movement Restored at Uzbekistan–Afghanistan Border

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Civilian traffic has been reopened on the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan state border via the Termez–Hairaton bridge.

Passengers can now travel safely and directly between the two countries, while visa requirements remain in effect.

Travel restrictions introduced in 2021 had previously complicated trips for entrepreneurs to Afghanistan.

To reach Mazar-i-Sharif, located 75 km from Airitom, businesspeople were forced to take a one-day detour through Tajikistan. The lifting of these restrictions significantly simplifies logistics and creates new export opportunities.

The restoration of border crossing procedures is expected to boost trade volumes. Exports to Afghanistan have steadily increased in recent years, and the reopening of the route is projected to help achieve a trade volume of US$2.5 billion by 2026.

The government supports entrepreneurs in the Afghan market by covering storage costs for goods in warehouses in Hairaton or Mazar-i-Sharif, as well as expenses for product promotion across the country’s 34 provinces.

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to take advantage of the emerging opportunities, develop infrastructure, and expand their presence in a market of 59 million people, where demand is high and competition is limited.