Baradar meets Uzbek deputy PM in Tashkent

A delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev during its visit to Tashkent on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the expansion of trade and transit relations and the investment of Uzbek investors in Afghanistan, Baradar’s office said in a statement.

The Uzbek side stated that Tashkent is prepared to establish a joint commercial zone at the border between the two countries to enhance bilateral trade relations. This commercial zone will include processing factories for pine nuts and cotton, packaging and logistics centers, and manufacturing units for various food products.

Uzbek PM further stated that Uzbek investors are ready to cooperate with the Islamic Emirate in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas in Afghanistan and to invest in the industrial sector, including the establishment of a cement factory in Samangan province.

He also noted that significant progress has been made in the exploration of the Toti Maidan gas field in Faryab province, and extraction operations are expected to commence soon.

Meanwhile, Mullah Baradar welcomed the Uzbek side’s proposals and assured full cooperation from the Islamic Emirate in the mentioned areas.