Afghanistan’s private-sector representatives and their counterparts from Uzbekistan’s Qashqadaryo province have signed 20 trade agreements totaling $267 million, following a series of business-to-business meetings.
According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the accords span multiple sectors, including food processing, textiles, construction materials, livestock, electronics, and furniture.
The agreements were formalized during a trade networking conference attended by Mawlavi Ahmadullah Zahid, Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Shuhrat Muradov, Deputy Governor of Qashqadaryo province; Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan; and business delegates from both sides.
In his address, Deputy Minister Zahid underscored the urgency of streamlining trade and transit procedures and removing bureaucratic hurdles between the two countries. He pointed to Afghanistan’s rich potential in agriculture, mining, and investment, while acknowledging Uzbekistan’s growing industrial base and machinery-manufacturing capabilities. “If these strengths are integrated, both nations will benefit significantly,” he said.
Zahid also reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to facilitating private-sector activity, noting that the Islamic Emirate is actively working to ease business operations for traders on both sides. He added that Afghanistan is open to negotiating transit arrangements for its export goods through Uzbek territory.
For his part, Deputy Governor Muradov expressed Qashqadaryo’s readiness to host Afghan official and trade delegations, and pledged support for exporting Afghan products not only to Uzbekistan but also to broader regional markets.
