According to the document, Uzbekistan aims to increase annual trade with Afghanistan to $2 billion by 2023. In 2019, trade relations with the IRA amounted to $618 million.

Uzbekistan plans to introduce a new position in the structure of MIFT – the post of Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade for Economic Cooperation with Afghanistan.

An interagency working group on the development of economic cooperation with Afghanistan has been established and a schedule of measures has been approved.

Reportedly, regular direct flights between Tashkent and Kabul, as well as Mazar-e-Sharif are planned to start in January 2021. Negotiations are underway with Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines to resume flights that were suspended in March this year due to the pandemic.

In March 2021, it is planned to sign a preferential trade agreement with Afghanistan.

Tasks have been set to open trading houses of Uzbek products and branches of Uzbek banks in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, to simplify and reduce the cost of road and rail transportations.

Uzbekistan intends to increase exports of chicken meat, marble and jewelry, tobacco, hygiene products, furniture, children’s clothing, consumer goods, flour and bakery products, vegetable oil and fruits, as well as vegetables to the neighboring republic.

Construction of the Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul railway, which will provide access to Pakistani railways, is scheduled to begin in September 2021.

The construction of the 500 kW Surkhan-Puli-Khumri transmission line in Uzbekistan will be completed by March 2021. Construction work in Afghanistan will begin in August 2021.