Taliban’s Economic Delegation Meets with Uzbekistan for Trade and Investment Talks
A high-level delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has recently arrived in Tashkent to discuss important matters of trade and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The delegation’s visit aims to strengthen ties between the two nations, particularly in the areas of investments, oil and gas exploration, and industrial development.
Upon their arrival on February 22, the delegation was welcomed by senior Uzbek officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev and Ismatulla Ergashev, the President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, the Taliban’s ambassador to Uzbekistan, highlighting the importance of the discussions to take place.
Reports indicate that the Afghan delegation comprises officials responsible for customs, transport, aviation, and agriculture, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the talks. During negotiations with Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev, both sides emphasized the desire to expand trade and transit ties and facilitate Uzbek investments in Afghanistan.
One of the significant announcements made during the discussions was Uzbekistan’s intention to establish a joint trade zone at the border, which will house various facilities for processing agricultural products and promoting bilateral trade. Additionally, Uzbekistan expressed interest in collaborating on oil and gas exploration and extraction projects in Afghanistan, as well as investing in industrial sectors such as cement production.
The talks also revealed that progress has been made in exploring the “Toti Maydon” gas field, with extraction operations set to begin soon. The Afghan delegation welcomed Uzbekistan’s proposals warmly, expressing confidence in the potential for comprehensive cooperation in these vital areas.
Overall, the visit of the Afghan delegation to Tashkent signals a positive step towards enhancing economic cooperation and mutual development between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The discussions held during the visit are expected to pave the way for closer ties and increased investment opportunities between the two nations in the future.
