KABUL (Pajhwok): Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Mawlawi Attaullah Omari has stressed the expansion of agricultural and trade cooperation and joint investment between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
He also called on Uzbek investors to invest in Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and related industries.
In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MoAIL) said Omari made the remarks at the Global Technical Forum on Landlocked Developing Countries, Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Omari stressed that cooperation between the two countries should not be limited to trade in agricultural products, but should also expand to agricultural production, processing, packaging, agro-processing industries, agricultural machinery and the development of value chains.
He described Afghanistan’s fertile land, diverse climate and young workforce as important investment opportunities and said Afghanistan produced around 159,000 tonnes of cotton in 2024.
Omari added that Afghanistan’s goal was not merely to produce raw materials; rather, by developing processing and manufacturing industries and establishing packaging centres, the value of products could be increased domestically, creating employment opportunities, increasing farmers’ incomes and expanding exports.
According to him, investment in modern irrigation systems, agricultural machinery, the production of agricultural inputs, textile industries, oil extraction and other agriculture-related industries are important areas of cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
He also described Afghanistan’s geographical location as suitable for connecting Central and South Asian markets and called on Uzbek investors to invest in agricultural projects and related industries in Afghanistan.
He said his ministry was ready to cooperate and facilitate investment opportunities within the framework of applicable laws and regulations, adding that it was working to turn bilateral understandings into practical projects and sustainable economic cooperation.
The Global Technical Forum on Landlocked Developing Countries was held to strengthen regional cooperation, ensure food security, promote sustainable development and expand trade and investment among landlocked developing countries.
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