TASHKENT: The Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has requested Uzbekistan’s cooperation in enhancing Afghanistan’s banking sector.
He made this appeal during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khodjayev, on Saturday, February 22.
Leading a high-level Taliban delegation to Uzbekistan, Mullah Baradar engaged in discussions with senior Uzbek officials on strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the two neighboring countries.
According to a statement from the Taliban’s administration, Mullah Baradar urged Uzbekistan to provide expertise and technical support to improve Afghanistan’s banking system. He emphasized the need for faster banking transactions between the two countries and requested Uzbekistan to act as an intermediary for Afghan banks in facilitating international money transfers.
“Involvement of Uzbekistan’s banking experts in improving Afghanistan’s financial sector would significantly enhance its capacity,” the statement quoted Mullah Baradar as saying.
Furthermore, he proposed that trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan be conducted using their respective national currencies. He also called for the Uzbek Central Bank to provide necessary facilities to ease restrictions and strengthen banking ties between the two nations.
The two sides also discussed expanding trade and transit relations, as well as encouraging Uzbek businesses to invest in Afghanistan.
While Uzbekistan’s government has yet to comment on the meeting, the Taliban’s statement claims that Uzbek officials welcomed their proposals and expressed readiness for further cooperation.
In a separate meeting, Mullah Baradar assured Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, that the Taliban’s foreign policy is based on neutrality and non-interference. He urged regional and international partners to respect this principle.
The discussions also covered infrastructure projects, including the expansion of railway and road networks between the two countries. Mullah Baradar invited Uzbekistan to invest in the Mazar-i-Sharif–Herat railway project, which would connect Uzbekistan with Iran and China.
“This project will boost Tashkent’s trade with South Asia, Iran, and China and contribute to regional stability and economic growth,” he said.
Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov emphasized the importance of economic ties with Afghanistan and reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s support for expanding trade and investment opportunities. He noted that technical teams from both countries would work on implementing proposed economic initiatives.
Trade between Afghanistan and Central Asian countries currently stands at approximately $1.7 billion. Last month, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that the country imported goods worth $1.58 billion from Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, while exporting $112 million worth of goods in the current solar year.
