Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties and Customs Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Chairman of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, Akmalkhoja Mavlonov, held a video conference today with the Deputy Head of the Afghan Customs Service, S. Abdulzoda, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the area of customs administration.

During the online meeting, both sides noted that a constructive policy aimed at maintaining good-neighborly and active relations is contributing to the growth of economic ties between the two countries.

Notably, in 2025, foreign trade in goods with Afghanistan reached 1.5 billion US dollars, representing a 53% increase compared to 2024. Over the same period, the number of citizens crossing the border through customs checkpoints grew by 1.5 times, vehicle traffic rose by 36%, and freight railway wagon movements increased by 13%.

To stimulate trade in border regions, the Termez International Trade Center free trade zone was launched, specifically targeting Afghan citizens and businesses.

The meeting's participants agreed that the continued growth in mutual trade turnover calls for further simplification and digitalization of customs procedures.

The parties discussed prospects for restoring the exchange of preliminary data on the movement of goods and vehicles, which would enable advance analysis and streamlined clearance of import cargo.

Issues related to the customs processing of Uzbek export goods upon import into Afghanistan were also addressed.

The Committee Chairman proposed organizing free-of-charge training for Afghan Customs Service employees at Uzbekistan's Central Customs Laboratory — which holds Regional status within the World Customs Organization — covering commodity expertise and classification.

The meeting took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, with both sides expressing their readiness to further develop cooperation in the customs sphere.