Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, has urged Uzbekistan to enhance banking capacity and facilitate trade relations during a meeting with Jamshid Khodjaev, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Trade and Investment.
During the meeting on Saturday, Baradar called on Uzbekistan’s central bank to provide banking facilities to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. He also proposed the use of national currencies in trade exchanges to streamline financial transactions.
Discussions covered the rapid integration of customs systems at the border, facilitating Afghan traders in transporting goods to the common market, removing trade permit restrictions, and simplifying visa issuance.
According to a statement from Baradar’s office, both sides explored opportunities to expand trade and transit relations and attract Uzbek investments in Afghanistan.
The statement further noted that Uzbek officials expressed readiness to establish a joint trade zone at the border, featuring processing factories for pine nuts and cotton, packaging and logistics centres, and food production plants.
The Uzbek government has yet to comment on the meeting. However, Baradar’s office stated that the Taliban welcomed the proposed initiatives and expressed willingness for cooperation.
