Afghanistan-Uzbekistan joint chamber of commerce opens in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A joint chamber of commerce between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan was opened on Monday in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, to promote and expand trade ties between the two countries.

Regional officials from Balkh and dozens of Afghan and Uzbek traders attended the chamber’s opening.

Ismatullah Ishaqzai, head of the centre, said: "This joint chamber provides a suitable opportunity not only for Afghan but also for Uzbek traders to promote trade and introduce products from both countries."

He added the chamber would help bridge the gap in the production sectors between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

At the same time, Chamber of Commerce and Investment Director Asadullah Asadi said that alongside the opening of the chamber, a delegation of 100 Uzbek traders had also arrived in the province.

He said these traders had come to explore trade opportunities in Afghanistan and to identify ways to facilitate exports and imports between the two countries and resolve any challenges.

Meanwhile, Yarquin Malikov, head of Uzbekistan’s Exporting Traders Association, said that following the inauguration of the chamber, several Uzbek traders had launched a permanent exhibition to showcase Uzbek products.

He noted that the exhibition displays three categories of Uzbek goods—food products, pharmaceuticals, and electronic devices—and added that if there is sufficient market demand, they are ready to open factories in Afghanistan as well.

He also called on both governments to facilitate various aspects of business for traders.

On the Afghan side, Nasir Ahmad Niazi, deputy director of commerce and industry, assured traders and industrialists of continued support.

He stated: “The Balkh Department of Industry and Commerce is committed to solving the problems of traders and industrialists, ensuring security, and protecting their rights. We have always tried to find timely solutions to their challenges.”

Earlier, a similar joint chamber of commerce between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan was inaugurated in Herat province to boost trade ties between the two countries.

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