At a Trade Connectivity and Cooperation Forum held in Balkh, 10 agreements were signed between the private sectors of Afghanistan and the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan of Uzbekistan in various sectors.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that these agreements, worth $112 million, were signed between Afghan and Karakalpakstan traders in agriculture, industry, energy, and mining sectors.
During the ceremony, officials once again called on both Afghan and foreign investors to invest inside the country.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Shahabuddin Thaqib, said:
“Afghanistan has important transit routes, human resources, a young population, and a growing market, which provides a good foundation for joint investment and trade between both sides. We welcome joint investments in various sectors.”
On the other hand, representatives of the private sector of Karakalpakstan expressed full interest in investing in Balkh and pledged technical and professional cooperation with Afghan traders, industrialists, and farmers if facilities are provided.
They also expressed hope that the Afghan government would allocate land through legal procedures so they can build modern cold storage facilities, dairy and glass production factories, and cotton processing companies.
Chairman of the Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan, Amanbay Orynbayev, said:
“The B2B meetings we have held since yesterday resulted in agreements between industrialists of both countries to jointly establish two factories. One is a dairy production facility and the other is a cold storage for products. In addition, we agreed that one of our industrialists will establish a feed production factory. If agricultural land is provided to us, we can also cooperate with Afghan farmers in the agriculture sector.”
Chairman of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Karakalpakstan, Umar Usmanov, said:
“Our industrialists are also ready to start joint business with Afghan traders and industrialists. During this visit, one of our industrialists signed an agreement with an Afghan trader to begin construction of an agricultural cold storage facility in Mazar-i-Sharif. We want to further expand trade relations, especially in production sectors, because it benefits both sides.”
Meanwhile, private sector officials in Balkh said that under the agreement, Karakalpakstan investors plan to invest jointly in glass production and cotton processing in Balkh.
Deputy head of Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Haroon Rashid, said:
“Given their products, we need joint investment and production in glass manufacturing. Similarly, we need joint investment in cotton processing and textile production. Agreements have been signed in this regard, and we hope practical steps will also be taken.”
Karakalpakstan also inaugurated a permanent exhibition of its products in Mazar-i-Sharif, showcasing food items, dried fruits, seeds, clothing, and other goods.
