Taliban economic delegation arrives in Uzbekistan

^{Photo: Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade}
A delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, arrived in Tashkent. On February 22, the delegation was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khojaev, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Ismatulla Ergashev, and the Taliban Ambassador to Uzbekistan Sheikh Abdulghafar Bahr.

The delegation reportedly includes representatives of the Taliban responsible for customs, transport, aviation, and agriculture. On the same day, Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund began negotiations with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojaev.

"During the conversation, the two sides discussed the expansion of trade and transit relations and investment by Uzbek investors in Afghanistan. The Uzbek side expressed its readiness to establish a joint trade zone on the border of the two countries in order to expand bilateral trade relations.

This trade zone will include pine nut and cotton processing plants, packaging and logistics centers, and departments for the production of various food products," the report says.

Also, Jamshid Khojaev expressed the readiness of Uzbek investors to cooperate in the exploration and production of oil and gas in Afghanistan, as well as to invest in the industrial sector, including the construction of a cement plant in the Namangan region. It is reported that significant progress has been made in the exploration of the Toti Maidan gas field, and extraction is expected to begin soon.

The Emirati side "welcomed Uzbekistan's proposals and expressed confidence in comprehensive cooperation in these areas," the report says. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”