Tashkent: Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have agreed to deepen cooperation in transit, logistics, and trade, with a focus on expanding railway connectivity and streamlining freight transportation to boost regional commerce.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Makhkamov, and the head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Mohammad Karim Hashemi.
According to officials, the two sides explored ways to enhance transit and logistics cooperation, increase bilateral freight volumes, and strengthen trade relations between the neighbouring countries. They emphasised the importance of making full use of the existing transit potential of both nations, reducing delivery times, and expanding logistics infrastructure.
Among the key issues discussed were measures to facilitate the rapid movement of Afghan imports and Uzbek exports, improve warehousing facilities, and construct additional railway links connecting the strategic stations of Hairatan and Naibabad.
The meeting also focused on increasing the volume of Afghan transit cargo moving through Uzbekistan and improving transport routes for goods originating from Chinese ports and countries in the Persian Gulf. Both sides examined ways to make Uzbek transport corridors more efficient for regional and international trade flows.
In addition, the officials discussed expanding the network of quality-control laboratories in Afghanistan and reviewing transport-related costs that affect logistics companies operating in the region.
At the conclusion of the talks, the Afghan delegation expressed its readiness to work jointly on projects aimed at developing transit infrastructure, logistics networks, and regional trade. The delegation also pledged continued cooperation with Uzbekistan to address existing bottlenecks and facilitate smoother cross-border commerce.
