KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s private sectors have signed memoranda of understanding worth 514.80 million US dollars across various sectors, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said on Sunday.
The agreements were signed during business meetings between representatives of Afghanistan’s private sector and officials from Uzbekistan’s Namangan region.
The event took place in Kabul on Saturday as part of a connectivity conference and business forums attended by Minister of Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Azizi, Namangan Governor Shavkatjon Abdurazzoqov, the Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, a joint Uzbek government–private sector delegation and a number of traders and investors from both countries, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, the accords span a wide range of sectors, including the establishment of poultry farms in Afghanistan; the import and export of cement, coal, pulses and asphalt; the export of dried fruits and vegetables; the import of fuel and food items; the production of non-alcoholic beverages; sports services; and egg production.
Azizi, while expressing appreciation for Uzbekistan’s cooperation, described Afghanistan as a reliable partner in trade and investment and emphasised the need to expand economic ties between the two countries.
He also referred to recent agreements on preferential tariffs for certain export items, which are expected to boost Afghanistan’s exports.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Namangan region underscored the importance of joint cooperation, stating that peace and stability in Afghanistan are vital for his country. He described the meeting as an effective step towards strengthening economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
Officials from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan’s private sector, describing the agreements as a significant step towards economic growth and enhanced trade relations.
kk/sa
