HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Shukhrat Rahmanov, governor of Uzbekistan’s Andijan province, on Tuesday arrived in western Herat province leading a high-level trade delegation, officials said.
Governor spokesman Mufti Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi said Rahmanov, accompanied by Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Kabul, the head of the country’s Chamber of Commerce and around 60 traders, met with Herat Governor Sheikh Maulana Islamjar for talks on strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The two sides discussed expanding trade and transit cooperation between Herat and Uzbekistan, including the development of highway and railway links, the establishment of a permanent exhibition of Uzbek products in Herat, and the opening of an Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce office in the province.
Islamjar described Herat as one of Afghanistan’s key economic and transit hubs and stressed the importance of enhancing economic relations with regional countries, particularly Uzbekistan.
He also highlighted the need to import food items, cooking oil, cement, and construction materials from Uzbekistan.
He invited Uzbek traders to explore joint investment opportunities in Herat, assuring them of full support from the local administration and facilitation for their activities.
Rahmanov, for his part, described Herat as a vital gateway for trade with Central Asia and called for expanded cooperation in trade, transit, and investment.
He said Uzbek traders were ready to invest in Herat and emphasized the need to increase bilateral trade and strengthen import-export flows.
Both sides agreed to send a delegation of Herat traders to Andijan province in Uzbekistan in the near future to showcase local products and participate in a joint business exhibition aimed at boosting business-to-business ties.
The visit comes as preparations are underway to inaugurate a joint Afghan-Uzbek trade office in Herat in the near future.
hz/sa
