Uzbekistan–Afghanistan preferential trade deal to take effect within two weeks – Ambassador

The preferential trade agreement between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is set to come into force in two weeks. This was announced on January 17 by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Oybek Usmanov, during an open dialogue between ambassadors and entrepreneurs.

Photo: Bloomberg

During the meeting, one of the executives of a cable manufacturing company raised the issue of concluding similar agreements with Pakistan and Afghanistan, noting that Pakistan has significant potential for exporting finished products.

Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev asked the ambassador why the Afghan side was delaying the preferential trade agreement, despite Uzbekistan having completed all the necessary steps.

In response, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Oybek Usmanov said that the relevant ministries of both countries had signed the document two months earlier. On the Uzbek side, the matter is being personally overseen by the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov.

“Negotiations are currently ongoing between the ministries of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan regarding the entry into force of the preferential trade agreement. God willing, it will begin operating within two weeks,” the ambassador said.

The deputy prime minister proposed recording in the meeting protocol that the agreement with Afghanistan will enter into force in two weeks.