Afghanistan is seeking to expand trade, transit and investment ties with Uzbekistan and China, with Afghan officials calling for new transport corridors to help connect Afghan exports with Chinese and other regional markets.
Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi made the remarks at a trade meeting involving Afghan, Uzbek and Chinese officials in Termez, Uzbekistan.
Azizi said Afghanistan wants to use Uzbekistan’s trade and transit networks to facilitate the movement of Afghan products to China and other markets in Central Asia and beyond. He described China as an important economic partner and said stronger regional connectivity could create new opportunities for trade between Central Asia, China and South Asia.
Afghanistan is also seeking investment from Uzbek and Chinese companies in mining, agriculture, processing industries, energy, manufacturing, machinery and infrastructure, Azizi said. He added that processing raw materials inside Afghanistan through joint investment could generate longer-term economic benefits for the region.
Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, China’s Culture Minister of China, Surxondaryo Governor Ulugbek Kasimov and Balkh Governor Mohammad Yusuf Wafa were among officials attending the meeting, alongside Afghan and regional business representatives.
Wafa highlighted investment opportunities in Balkh and the economic ties between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan and Uzbekistan continue efforts to expand bilateral trade and transit cooperation. Uzbek and Afghan officials have previously discussed increasing trade, simplifying customs procedures and strengthening regional transport links.
