KABUL, February 19. /Dunyo IA/. A delegation from the Syrdarya Region, led by Hokim Erkinjon Turdimov, visited Kabul, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The delegation met with Nooruddin Azizi, Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce who highlighted the historically established bonds of friendship between the peoples, the shared national traditions and the growing business contacts between entrepreneurs of the two countries.

The Afghan minister fondly recalled his meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in June 2025. According to him, in recent years, thanks to the political will and consistent efforts of Uzbekistan’s leadership, relations of good-neighborliness - rooted in centuries of history - have been developing dynamically, along with cooperation in political, trade and economic, transport and communications, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres.

Parties agreed on several practical steps to further develop cooperation. In particular, they reached an agreement to hold a joint business forum and B2B meetings in Syrdarya Region, to intensify the implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement and to accelerate the signing of documents on investment protection and the establishment of the “Khairaton” Industrial Cooperation Center.

Particular attention was given to expanding bilateral trade, including increasing exports from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan of textiles, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, and machinery, as well as imports into Afghanistan of coal and meat products, along with discussions on the potential export of cottonseed.

In addition, the minister proposed jointly developing measures with representatives of both governments to simplify the passage of freight vehicles through the “Ayritom” border‑customs post.

During the visit, Erkinjon Turdimov also met with the Hokim of Kabul Province, Mawlawi Aminullah Ubayd. The Afghan side was presented with information on Syrdarya Region’s trade, economic, and investment potential, its logistics centers, and advantageous geographic location. The delegation emphasized its readiness to expand supplies of foodstuffs, agricultural products, construction materials, pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment.

In addition, a meeting was held with the Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Sayed Karim Hashemi. Following the discussions, agreements were reached to establish trade houses of Syrdarya Region in the provinces of Kabul, Herat and Kandahar, implement a project for the processing of metal ore in Afghanistan and organize a reciprocal visit of Afghan entrepreneurs to Uzbekistan.

The Syrdarya Region delegation also visited an industrial products exhibition at the “Kabul Expo” center, where they held a series of focused meetings with representatives of the Afghan business community aimed at launching joint projects and expanding bilateral partnerships.