Report on Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund's Visit to Uzbekistan

A high-level delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, traveled to the city of Termez, Uzbekistan, on August 29, 2024, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Termez International Trade Center. During the visit, he also met with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and the Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.

Upon arrival in the border city of Termez around noon, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund and the accompanying delegation proceeded to the Termez International Trade Center, where they participated in the inauguration ceremony. In his remarks during the ceremony, Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund stated that the opening of this center represents a significant step towards strengthening joint trade relations and regional cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. He highlighted that this initiative would create new opportunities for investment, business relations, and employment in both countries and open new markets for various products and commodities.

Referring to the importance of the center, Mullah Baradar Akhund emphasized that the inauguration would facilitate production, processing, and export of goods, enhancing access to regional and international markets. He noted that this would not only positively impact the economic ties between the two countries but also serve as a major economic hub and a trade gateway for Central and South Asian countries. Additionally, the trade center would strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of technology and innovation.

Later, on the same day, following the inauguration of the Termez International Trade Center, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, he expressed gratitude for the resumption of the Azerbaijani embassy's activities in Kabul and urged the Azerbaijani government and private sector to take advantage of the investment opportunities available in Afghanistan and invest in various sectors.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, in his remarks, stated that his country is ready to reopen the Lapis Lazuli trade route to expand trade relations with Afghanistan and other regional countries. He also expressed interest in investing in the establishment of industrial factories in Afghanistan and mentioned Azerbaijan's readiness to collaborate with the Islamic Emirate in the extraction of mines.

Following this, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund also met with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. During the meeting, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr. Abdulla Aripov, stated that Afghanistan holds an important position in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. For this reason, Tashkent is ready to facilitate the export of fresh fruits from Afghanistan to Central Asian countries through Uzbekistan's territory to enhance trade and transit relations with Kabul.

He added that Uzbekistan has introduced technical teams to extend the railway network from Hairatan to Herat and they are prepared to come to Afghanistan in September to begin this project and start gas extraction. He also mentioned Uzbekistan's willingness to cooperate with the Islamic Emirate in constructing retaining walls along the Amu River.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund stated that the Islamic Emirate is ready to initiate all activities that play a constructive role in strengthening and deepening relations between the two countries.

After returning from Uzbekistan, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs visited the construction site of the Qosh Tepa Canal's weir in Balkh province on the afternoon of August 29. He praised the work done by the National Development Corporation on the construction of the weir and instructed its employees to complete the project with precision and quality within the stipulated timeframe.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs emphasized the importance of the Qosh Tepa Canal in agricultural and water management and stated that the Islamic Emirate is fully committed to completing the project on time.

After the one-day official visit to Uzbekistan and inspecting the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal’s weir in Balkh province, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund returned to Kabul on Thursday evening.