Business representatives from Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region and Afghanistan's Balkh province have met in Mazar-e-Sharif to discuss economic cooperation. According to reports from the 'Dunyo' news agency, the participants reviewed potential avenues for expanding bilateral trade and launching joint economic initiatives.

During the negotiations, the parties allegedly identified substantial opportunities for partnership in poultry farming, textiles, light industry, food production, and construction materials. Asadullah Asadi, head of the secretariat at the Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment, reportedly urged Uzbek business figures to invest in regional agriculture and mining sectors. * Balkh province Industry and Trade Department chief Mawlawi Ahmadkhan Khodim claimed that trade volumes between the two neighboring areas are growing steadily. He purportedly stated that mutual trade could reach an ambitious $5 billion in the coming years, a figure that remains difficult to verify independently. The official also expressed readiness to provide assistance to incoming investors.

Concluding the meetings, the delegations reportedly signed agreements across various sectors, though the financial values and specific terms of these deals were not disclosed to the public. Members of the delegation additionally toured several industrial facilities in Balkh province.

Discussions further touched upon healthcare cooperation during a meeting with Seyed Ahmad Shadob, deputy head of the Balkh Health Department. Both sides agreed to arrange an upcoming visit by a group of Afghan medical professionals to a multi-disciplinary medical center in the border city of Termez, where a memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed.

Source: kun.uz