The first round of dialogue between representatives of government agencies and the private sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was held at the center for training Afghan citizens under the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in Surkhandarya region. 

The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan A.Ikramov, the Minister for Foreign Trade J.Khodjayev, the khokim of Surkhandarya region E.Turdimov, the special representative of the President of Afghanistan for cooperation with the CIS countries Mohammad Shokir Korgan, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, Head of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan and others noted that friendship and cooperation between the two neighboring countries is developing at a new level. 

Uzbekistan actively participates in implementation of major projects in the neighboring state. A training center for Afghan citizens is operating in Termez. The Trade House of Uzbekistan is organized in Kabul. Introduction of a simplified visa regime for citizens of Afghanistan also indicates an increasingly strengthened relationship based on good-neighborliness. Relations between representatives of business circles of the two countries are developing on the basis of equal partnership. Over the past few days, at the international business forum “Open South”, which was held in Termez, dedicated to presentation of investment, export and tourism potential of Surkhandarya region, over 70 Afghanistan’s entrepreneurs have concluded bilateral agreements. 

Over five months of this year, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 14 percent compared to the same period of the last year. In Surkhandarya region, favorable conditions are being created for Afghan businessmen in building and opening industrial enterprises, establishing services, which contributes to further development of mutual ties. The event was also attended by Afghan entrepreneurs who established their business in Termez. 

At the event, a memorandum on organization of a Council of Businessmen in Uzbekistan was signed between the chambers of commerce and industry of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Business people of the two countries have concluded mutually beneficial agreements on establishing cooperation in many areas. 

The guests visited the exhibition-sale of products of Uzbek commodity producers, organized in the export center “Termiz kargo”, as well as the historical monuments of Termez. 

Holmumin Mamatrayimov, UzA

Source: UzA