Thursday, 23rd July 2026
A business forum between the private sectors of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan was held in the Syrdarya Region of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the participation of more than 100 Afghan traders and investors led by Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), alongside hundreds of leading traders and investors from Uzbekistan.
The forum was organized to strengthen trade and investment relations, establish direct connections between business communities of the two countries, and expand economic cooperation at the provincial level between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. It was officially inaugurated by Mr. Erkinjon Turdimov, Governor of Syrdarya Region, and Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of ACCI.
At the beginning of the event, Mr. Erkinjon Turdimov, Governor of Syrdarya Region, welcomed the Afghan trade delegation and described their first-ever visit to the region as significant and valuable. Referring to the growing economic relations between the two countries, he emphasized the importance of expanding trade cooperation, noting that Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have made considerable progress in various economic sectors and have successfully implemented investment projects in both countries.
He further stressed the need to expand joint investments, capitalize on the strategic location of both countries to establish new transit corridors, and facilitate better conditions for traders through the support of the governments of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
Delivering his remarks, Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality and generous reception extended by the Government and people of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He stated that the strong participation of Afghan traders reflected the private sector's firm commitment to strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The Chairman of ACCI also expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan's constructive and supportive policies toward Afghanistan, as well as the continued support of the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for the country's private sector.
He highlighted Afghanistan's vast potential in the sectors of agriculture, mining, industry, and transit, and invited Uzbek investors to take advantage of the available opportunities by investing in joint projects in Afghanistan.
In another part of his speech, Mr. Hashemi proposed the implementation of major joint projects in cotton cultivation, processing, and textile industries on approximately 50,000 hectares of land in Helmand Province, calling on the Syrdarya regional authorities and Uzbek companies to cooperate in transferring technology, machinery, and technical expertise in this sector.
He also emphasized the importance of expanding Afghanistan's exports, removing transit and customs barriers, facilitating banking services, expanding railway connectivity, organizing joint exhibitions, establishing a joint committee between the private sectors of both countries, and continuing bilateral trade forums.
The Chairman of ACCI invited Uzbek traders and companies to participate in the International Imam Abu Hanifa Exhibition in Kabul and benefit from Afghanistan's investment opportunities and prospects for economic cooperation.
At the conclusion of the forum, Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings were held between Afghan and Uzbek traders across various economic sectors, where participants exchanged views on business opportunities, joint investments, and the expansion of bilateral cooperation.
The Afghan trade delegation also visited an exhibition showcasing the products and industrial output of Uzbek companies, organized alongside the forum, where they became directly acquainted with the production capabilities and export potential of the Syrdarya Region.
