Uzbek President Approves Preferential Trade Agreement with Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree approving a preferential trade agreement between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Uzbek media reported that the agreement includes waiving customs tariffs on 14 types of goods, simplifying sanitary procedures for Afghan agricultural products and expanding support for exporters. Implementation has been assigned to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade and Customs Committee.

Economic expert Mirshakar Yaqubi stated that waiving or reducing tariffs on some goods simplifies customs processes, lowers trade costs and enables traders to more easily export and import, allowing products from both countries to enter each other's markets. He added that Afghanistan can access Uzbek goods at lower prices.

The decree comes as the two sides had previously agreed to increase trade to $5 billion. Afghanistan's Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock said implementation could expand exports of agricultural and livestock products to Uzbekistan and boost bilateral trade.

Chamber head Wasim Safi emphasized that trade with any country benefits Afghan products. He noted Uzbekistan had previously demanded red meat from Afghanistan but supplies were insufficient, and the agreement could encourage farm production and exports.

The Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate stated the agreement can lead to economic growth, increased exports and expanded trade ties with Central Asian countries. Deputy Abdul Latif Nazari said it will have positive impacts on economic development, exports, and economic, trade and transit relations between Afghanistan and Central Asian states.

The preferential trade agreement was first announced in August 2024 and signed on June 10, 2025, on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum by Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Trade Noruddin Azizi.