Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Agree to Boost Bilateral Trade as Economic Cooperation Deepens

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have reached a consensus to further enhance their bilateral trade. According to data released by the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the two countries’ trade turnover reached US$550 million in the first four months of 2026. During the Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum, the two sides signed a Preferential Trade Agreement and a Cooperation Programme for Trade, Economy and Industry for 2025–2026. Under the agreement, customs duties will be waived on 14 categories of goods, phytosanitary certification procedures for Afghan agricultural products will be simplified, and additional support measures will be provided for Uzbek exporters.

In recent years, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan has shown strong growth momentum. Data indicate that trade turnover between the two countries rose from US$653 million in 2021 to US$1.68 billion in 2025, an increase of approximately 1.5 times, with Uzbek exports to Afghanistan accounting for about US$1.5 billion. The full‑year bilateral trade volume in 2025 reached US$1.678 billion, up by US$540 million from 2024. Afghanistan has become Uzbekistan’s fourth‑largest export destination, after Russia, China and Kazakhstan.

In 2026, bilateral trade has continued to grow rapidly. In the first two months of the year, trade turnover reached US$298.4 million, a year‑on‑year increase of 8.2%. Since the beginning of the year, bilateral trade has grown by 68% compared with the same period last year, totalling US$402 million. In May, private‑sector entities from both sides signed 10 cooperation agreements worth a total of US$112 million, covering trade, investment and industrial production.

In terms of institutional development, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on 6 March 2026, formally ratifying the preferential trade agreement with Afghanistan. The two sides have also established a business council composed of 32 representatives, aiming to increase bilateral trade to US$5 billion. The two countries have set a next‑stage trade target of US$5 billion.

The Termiz International Trade Centre, which became operational in August 2024, is regarded as a key platform for bilateral cooperation, intended to reduce trade barriers, develop logistics infrastructure and expand direct contacts between enterprises of the two countries. Analysts point out that the operation of the Termiz centre not only strengthens Uzbekistan’s role as a transit hub but also opens up access to markets in the Middle East and South Asia. Despite ongoing uncertainties in Afghanistan, the project is seen as an important cornerstone for building a regional trade hub and deepening economic integration.