Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Deepen Strategic Economic Partnership During High-Level Kabul Visit

A high-ranking delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, arrived in Kabul this week to solidify a series of ambitious economic agreements aimed at reshaping regional commerce. The visit, which included over 170 investors and government officials, marks a significant milestone in the growing diplomatic and commercial relationship between Tashkent and the current administration in Afghanistan. Discussions primarily focused on the practical implementation of trade commitments and evaluating the progress of previously signed investment deals.

During a high-level meeting at the Gulkhana Palace, the Uzbek delegation met with Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund and other senior leaders to discuss a roadmap for increasing bilateral trade turnover to $5 billion. This target represents a substantial leap from the $1.1 billion recorded in 2024, signaling a mutual desire to integrate the two economies more closely. Uzbek officials emphasized that Afghanistan remains a central pillar of their foreign policy, particularly as a gateway for Central Asian connectivity to South Asian markets.

A cornerstone of the talks was the progress of the Trans-Afghan Railway project, a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure initiative designed to link Termez with the ports of Pakistan via Kabul and Jalalabad. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the project, which is expected to reduce transit costs by up to 40% and establish Afghanistan as a vital regional logistics hub. In addition to transport, the delegations reviewed energy cooperation, specifically the Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power line, which aims to stabilize Afghanistan’s electricity supply through increased imports from Uzbekistan.

Sector-specific investments were also a major highlight, with Uzbekistan expressing keen interest in Afghanistan's mining and industrial potential. Plans were discussed for a $50 million zinc processing plant in the border town of Hairatan, alongside joint ventures in agricultural processing and textile manufacturing. These projects are viewed by both sides as essential for job creation and sustainable economic recovery. The visit concluded with a Business-to-Business (B2B) forum, where private sector representatives from both countries signed several new memorandums of understanding to facilitate smoother cross-border investment.