Sayed Karim Hashemi, Director General of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), has met with the Deputy Governor of Tashkent to discuss expanding trade and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, Hashemi highlighted the growing economic ties between Kabul and Tashkent, noting that the ACCI has hosted several Uzbek governors and trade delegations in recent years. He also expressed satisfaction with the increase in bilateral trade between the two countries and invited the Tashkent Deputy Governor to visit Kabul.

The Deputy Governor accepted the invitation and said he plans to travel to Kabul in the coming months at the head of a trade delegation.

He welcomed the expansion of cooperation between the chambers of commerce of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and described the establishment of Uzbek trade houses in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, and Nangarhar provinces as a significant step toward strengthening trade relations.

The Tashkent official also emphasized the importance of sustaining economic and commercial cooperation and pledged continued support for Afghanistan’s private sector through all available means.

Afghanistan has reaffirmed its commitment to regional economic integration, highlighting its strategic position as a vital link between Central and South Asia during the second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity.

Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, participated in the forum, which brought together senior government officials, representatives of the United Nations, the European Union, and regional organizations under the theme, “Peace, Connectivity and Prosperity: Building the Foundations of Shared Development.”

Addressing the high-level session virtually, Azizi emphasized Afghanistan’s vision of expanding regional trade, strengthening economic cooperation, and maximizing the country’s transit potential.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Azizi noted that Afghanistan’s geographic location uniquely positions it to serve as a bridge between Central and South Asia, facilitating the movement of goods, investment, and people across the region.

He also highlighted the Trans-Afghan Railway Project as a key regional connectivity initiative, saying it would help link rail networks, boost trade and transit, and deepen economic cooperation among participating countries.

Azizi stressed that shared economic interests can play a crucial role in fostering lasting peace, mutual trust, and regional stability.

Representatives from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, India, and Bangladesh also attended the dialogue, underscoring the importance of expanding economic partnerships and developing new trade corridors.

Afghanistan’s participation reflects its growing role in regional transit and infrastructure initiatives aimed at strengthening connectivity and economic growth across Central and South Asia.

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are taking new steps to expand economic and transit cooperation, with senior officials from both sides discussing measures aimed at facilitating trade, improving transportation links, and addressing challenges facing Afghan exporters and traders.

According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), its chairman, Sayed Karim Hashemi, met with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport and senior railway officials during a visit to the neighboring country.

The discussions focused on enhancing transit cooperation, facilitating the movement of goods, strengthening logistics infrastructure, and resolving obstacles affecting Afghan businesses engaged in regional trade.

ACCI said both sides emphasized the importance of expanding transit corridors, accelerating cargo transportation, and creating additional facilities for Afghan traders. They also reviewed practical measures to reduce existing challenges in the import and export sectors.

The meeting follows an earlier round of talks between Hashemi and the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during which the two sides discussed expanding trade and economic ties, improving customs and transit facilitation, and finding solutions to issues facing the private sector in both countries.

According to ACCI, the recent engagements are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen economic relations between Kabul and Tashkent and to create greater opportunities for bilateral trade growth.

Economic analysts say enhanced transit and logistics cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan could help increase regional trade volumes, lower transportation costs, and improve access for Afghan products to markets across Central Asia.