Kabul Hosts Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Delegation

A high-level Uzbek economic delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev, has arrived in Kabul.

The delegation includes 170 Uzbek traders and investors and was welcomed upon arrival by Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce.

According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), the delegation is scheduled to meet with several officials of the Islamic Emirate, including the Prime Minister.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, Head of Public Relations at the ACCI, said:”In addition to meeting with officials of the Islamic Emirate, the Uzbek delegation will also hold talks with Afghanistan’s private sector. On Sunday, a major economic forum will be held between Afghan and Uzbek investors.”

The main focus of the meetings is to expand cooperation in trade, transit, investment, and strengthen economic ties between Kabul and Tashkent.

Economic analysts say that continued visits of this kind could help increase investment, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Afghanistan’s access to Central Asian markets.

Azarakhsh Hafizi, an economic analyst, said:”At a time when some border crossings are closed and the region is facing conflict, cooperation between the chambers of commerce and investment of Afghanistan and neighboring countries is extremely important.”

The visit comes as the Islamic Emirate has identified expanding economic relations with regional countries as one of its economic policy priorities. Uzbekistan, for its part, has in recent years sought to deepen its economic and transit cooperation with Afghanistan.