Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Discuss Expanding Bilateral Trade

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund held a meeting in Kabul with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev, who heads an Uzbek delegation. The Governor of the Ferghana region, Khayrullo Bozorov, also took part in the talks.

The parties discussed the further expansion of trade and economic cooperation and the implementation of previously reached agreements in trade and investment.

Jamshid Khodjaev noted that the goal of the visit by the large Uzbek delegation, which includes representatives of state bodies, lawmakers, entrepreneurs, and investors, is to strengthen economic and political ties between the two countries.

According to him, Afghanistan holds an important position in the foreign policy of Uzbekistan. The delegation's visit was organized on the instructions of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to begin the practical implementation of agreements in the investment and trade sectors and to evaluate the results of their execution.

Khodjaev reported that last year Afghanistan's export volume to Uzbekistan reached US$150 million. Since the beginning of the current year, this figure has reached US$111 million, with further growth expected by the end of the year.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that Uzbekistan has issued 5,000 visas to Afghan citizens, attributing this to the development of friendly and economic relations between the countries.

Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund welcomed the Uzbek delegation and called its visit important for the further strengthening of bilateral relations. According to him, the arrival of such a representative delegation and the development of economic cooperation demonstrate Uzbekistan's confidence in Afghanistan's future.

The Afghan Prime Minister also expressed interest in further strengthening relations with Uzbekistan and confirmed readiness to fulfill the agreements reached.