On July 3 of this year, Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, took part in the Uzbek-Afghan Business Forum held in Tashkent on the sidelines of the visit of the Afghan delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan headed by Nuriddin Aziziy, Minister of Industry and Trade of this country. 

The event was attended by heads of relevant ministries and departments, industry associations, and over 1,000 business representatives from both countries.

For reference: Afghanistan ranks as Uzbekistan's fifth-largest export market. In the last five years, mutual trade between the two countries has increased by nearly 1.5 times, reaching $866 million in 2023. Presently, Uzbekistan hosts 550 enterprises with Afghan investment, including 443 with 100% Afghan capital. These enterprises are engaged in joint projects across various sectors, including food production, construction materials, agriculture, tourism, and textiles.

In his welcoming speech to the participants of the business forum, Laziz Kudratov highlighted several promising and relevant areas of cooperation. These include diversifying the range of goods in mutual trade and bolstering cooperation between producers and exporters with the support of the respective departments and industry associations of both countries.

The forum highlighted initiatives to further develop mutual trade, such as transitioning to round-the-clock border crossing operations, establishing trading houses, and executing major transport and infrastructure projects, all of which are expected to stimulate an increase in product supplies to regional markets.
The significance of more proactive engagement at the International Trade Center in Termez was noted, where business-friendly conditions have been established, including a 15-day visa-free regime and a tax-free zone status.

At this stage in the development of bilateral relations, the emphasis is on measures to further stimulate interactions between entrepreneurs, increase the number of joint events, and facilitate visits involving the business communities of both countries. In this regard, the signing of new agreements and contracts, organizing mutual business forums, exhibitions, and B2B meetings are deemed highly important.

Nuriddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Trade of Afghanistan, expressed gratitude to the Uzbek side for the high level of organization of the visit's program and commended Uzbekistan's efforts to foster an environment conducive to bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation.

He also encouraged Afghan and Uzbek entrepreneurs to engage more actively with each other, assuring them of both sides' mutual readiness to support new ventures and initiatives.

As part of the event, the delegations visited the "Made in Afghanistan" industrial products exhibition, which showcased products from 75 major Afghan companies operating in the jewelry, textile, food, electrical engineering, mining industries, transportation, and logistics. On-site at the exhibition, B2B and G2B negotiations were facilitated, allowing entrepreneurs to forge valuable new connections, and discuss the technical aspects of potential joint projects and trade deals.

The forum concluded with the signing of several trade agreements in the chemical and agricultural sectors, as well as an agreement to establish a logistics center.