The key facts

  • Talks between Surkhandarya region entrepreneurs and Balkh province ended with the signing of agreements in several areas; their value and terms are not disclosed
  • The head of Balkh's industry and commerce department suggested mutual trade turnover could grow to $5 billion in the coming years
  • In Balkh, with the participation of investors from the Andijan region, work has begun on a poultry farm project; a visit by Afghan doctors to Termez to sign a memorandum is planned

Talks in Balkh and the areas of cooperation named

Entrepreneurs from the Surkhandarya region held direct talks with local business circles in Afghanistan's Balkh province, where they discussed opportunities to increase mutual trade and implement joint projects. This was reported by Kun.uz citing the Dunyo news agency. The parties noted great potential for cooperation in poultry farming, textiles and light industry, food production, and construction materials.

An invitation to investors and a trade turnover estimate

Asadullah Asadi, head of the secretariat of the Balkh Trade and Investment Chamber, invited Surkhandarya entrepreneurs to invest in agriculture, industry, construction materials production, mining, and poultry farming. According to the Afghan side, with the participation of investors from the Andijan region, work on a poultry farm construction project has already begun in Balkh.

A forecast of $5 billion

Mawlawi Ahmad Khan Khadem, head of the industry and commerce department of Balkh province, said that trade turnover between the two countries is growing and, in his estimate, could reach $5 billion in the coming years. He also promised to provide the necessary assistance to Uzbek entrepreneurs and investors. Following the talks, agreements were signed in various areas, but their value and detailed terms are not disclosed in the publication; delegation members also familiarized themselves with the operations of industrial enterprises in Balkh.

The healthcare dimension

Cooperation in healthcare was discussed separately — at a meeting with Said Ahmad Shadab, deputy head of the health department of Balkh. The parties agreed to arrange a visit by a group of Afghan doctors in the coming days to the AKFA Medline Ayritom multidisciplinary medical center, located on the grounds of the International Trade Center in Termez; a memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed during the visit.