In a significant move to deepen economic ties, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Afghanistan’s Acting Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar held a meeting in Kabul with business leaders from both nations. The gathering aimed at enhancing friendly and mutually beneficial relations based on good neighborliness between the two countries.
During the discussion, both sides highlighted the favorable conditions created for entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. A key outcome of the meeting was the announcement of a Preferential Trade Agreement set to take effect from October 1, 2024. Under this agreement, import duties on 14 types of goods will be eliminated, offering substantial benefits to exporters.
To further boost agricultural imports from Afghanistan, the phytosanitary certification process has been simplified. Additionally, from August 1, the Ayritom-Hairatan border crossing has transitioned to a 24-hour operation schedule to facilitate smoother trade flows.
For visitors to the International Termez Trade Center, a 15-day visa-free regime has been introduced, coupled with tax exemptions for Afghan entrepreneurs. This is expected to promote greater business activity and cross-border investments. In support of this, a bilateral agreement on mutual investment promotion and protection was also signed.
The meeting, which was conducted in an open dialogue format, also provided extensive information on various other measures aimed at supporting business activities in Uzbekistan. The discussions underscored the country’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investors, particularly from Afghanistan.
Sources: As reported by the government portal of Uzbekistan.