Mullah Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Taliban, has traveled to Uzbekistan at the head of a high-level delegation and met with officials of the country.
According to a report from the Bakhtar News Agency, during this visit, the Taliban delegation met with Jamshid Khojaev, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and discussed expanding trade, transit, and joint investment cooperation.
The report cites Jamshid Khojaev, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, as stating that Uzbekistan is ready to establish a “joint trade zone” at the border of the two countries.
According to Khojaev, this zone will include the construction of cotton and pine nut processing factories, packaging centers, logistical infrastructure, and food production units.
The Bakhtar News Agency also reports that the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan mentioned the willingness of Uzbek investors to participate in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas, heavy industries, and the construction of a cement factory in the Samangan province of Afghanistan.
It is said that during this meeting, Mullah Baradar welcomed these plans and stated that Afghanistan will fully support cooperation with Uzbekistan to implement these projects.
This comes after Uzbekistan had previously established a joint border market with Afghanistan near the city of Termez to develop economic relations with the Taliban.
Although Uzbekistan has not yet officially recognized the Taliban government, it has maintained close and friendly relations with the group, as evidenced by the Taliban flag being raised during today’s meeting with Uzbek officials.
