Erkinjon Turdimov at the podium. Photo: press service of the Syrdarya regional hokimiyat.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan concluded 25 commercial memorandums of understanding worth more than $300 million following a business forum in Kabul attended by a delegation from Syrdarya Region. The agreements were reported by the regional hokimiyat’s press service.
The event, held under the slogan “Do Business in Syrdarya!”, brought together Syrdarya regional hokim (governor) Erkinjon Turdimov, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Oybek Usmonov, Afghanistan’s minister of industry and trade Nuriddin Azizi, the chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment Said Karim Hashimi, deputy economy ministers, and business representatives from both countries.
The forum included B2B meetings between entrepreneurs from Syrdarya and Afghanistan, as well as G2B meetings involving government officials and businesses. The agreements cover supplies of food products, flour and grain, textiles, construction materials, furniture, and chemical and other industrial goods.
Azizi said the expansion of bilateral ties reflects strong political and economic momentum, noting that trade between the two sides has grown at an unprecedented pace in recent years and that both countries aim to increase volumes further.
Turdimov pointed to longstanding historical and economic ties and the active role of Afghan traders in the Syrdarya region. He called for deeper cooperation in industry and manufacturing, endorsed joint development projects, and highlighted Uzbekistan’s investment opportunities, including access to European export markets.
Ahead of the forum, the Syrdarya delegation held talks in Kabul with the head of Kabul province Aminullah Ubaid, as well as with the chamber chairman and the minister of industry and trade. Discussions focused on expanding supplies to the Afghan market of quality food products, textiles and garments, electrical equipment, and pharmaceuticals, along with proposals to establish direct partnerships between businesses and to improve logistics chains.
The visit is expected to boost Syrdarya’s export potential, open new markets for local producers, and strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties.
In December last year, Syrdarya regional authorities were tasked with attracting $3 billion in investment, raising exports to $500 million, and creating 185,000 jobs. The Government of Uzbekistan plans to allocate 11.5 trillion soums ($963 million) to the region in 2026 for infrastructure development and business projects.
