Uzbekistan will form a working group with Afghanistan and Pakistan to increase mutual trade turnover, Anadolu reports.

Its creation is indicated in the protocol of tripartite negotiations held in Islamabad. They were attended by Deputy PM Jamshid Khodjayev, Pakistani Minister of Trade and Industry Gohar Ijaz and his colleague from the interim government of Afghanistan Haji Nuruddin Azizi.

According to media reports, among other things, the protocol provides for the introduction of electronic document management at customs. In addition, the countries agreed to simplify the visa regime for trade.

It is also planned to work on joint investment projects and develop the banking system. Another promising area is food security initiatives.

Ijaz called the protocol a “significant step” in expanding economic ties and cooperation between Tashkent, Kabul and Islamabad. He expects “amazing times” in the areas of trade and transit transport.

The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that the working group will meet next week. Its main task is to ensure increased trade between the three countries and remove barriers that prevent this.

Southern way

Uzbekistan has been working for several years to increase the role of southern routes for exporting goods. Thus, in November 2021, the first Uzbek transit cargo arrived in Pakistan.

Since March 2022, Pakistan began supplying meat to Uzbek consumers, and India for the first time sent transit cargo to Uzbekistan through Pakistani and Afghan territory. In May, deliveries of Uzbek goods in the opposite direction began.

To service the route, an International Trade Center is being built in Termez, the first phase of which will open at the end of 2022. The three countries are also working together on the Trans-Afghan Railway project.