Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Private Sector Meeting Held in Balkh
Officials from Balkh province and Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region discussed the expansion of bilateral trade relations during a meeting titled “Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Private Sector Relations.”
The meeting was held in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, and was attended by government officials as well as a number of Afghan and Uzbek traders and industrialists.
Deputy Governor of Balkh, Noorulhadi Abu Idris, said: “In coordination between the two countries, we have political, economic, and cultural relations, and I hope these ties will grow even stronger.”
Governor of Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region, Erkinjon Turdimov, said: “The leadership of the Uzbek government and the president of the country support cooperation with the people of Afghanistan and the expansion of trade relations. For this purpose, the governor of Syrdarya has come to Afghanistan.”
During the meeting, some Afghan traders called for visa facilitation from Uzbekistan.
Deputy Head of the Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Haroon Rashid Qazi, said: “We request the government of Uzbekistan to further enhance its economic growth with Afghanistan and to take swift action in facilitating visas.”
Trader Khairuddin Mayel said: “Both countries should provide greater facilities for traders so that investment can be carried out properly.”
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s Consul General in Balkh assured Afghan traders of cooperation in issuing commercial visas.
Uzbekistan’s Consul General in Mazar-e-Sharif, Jafar Fattahov, said: “This request from Afghan traders is valid. We have conveyed it to the central authorities. It is beyond our authority, but God willing, the issue will be resolved soon.”
It is worth noting that toward the end of the meeting, traders from both countries discussed trade and investment opportunities in agriculture, construction, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, food products, and other sectors.
