In brief
On 9 November 2026, Afghan and Uzbek enterprises signed 18 MoUs worth $150 million at a business‑to‑business gathering in Kabul, attended by 87 manufacturing companies, including 30 from Uzbekistan. The agreements were catalogued by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and involve diverse sectors such as construction, chemicals, cosmetics, and rail infrastructure. Sources also note a similar transaction value reported by Ariana News and a broader discussion of railway cooperation in the Frontier Post.
On 9 November 2026, a business‑to‑business meeting in Kabul saw Afghan and Uzbek firms sign 18 memorandums of understanding worth $150 million, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment announced. The agreements were reached in the presence of 87 manufacturing companies, 30 of which are based in Uzbekistan.
Afghan chamber spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan reported that the 18 MoUs covered a range of sectors, including construction, chemicals and cosmetics, as noted in a separate report by The Frontier Post.
In addition to the signed agreements, the Frontier Post highlighted that officials from both countries discussed cross‑border infrastructure, including the proposed Trans‑Afghan railway, during the same gathering. A technical delegation from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works led by Deputy Minister for Railways Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada visited Uzbekistan to further those discussions.
Ariana News, citing private‑sector representatives, reported that the trade deals signed during the event were worth more than $151 million, slightly higher than the figure quoted by Xinhua. The discrepancy was attributed to differing rounding methods in the sources.
Both Xinhua and Ariana underscored that the agreements aim to strengthen economic ties between the two nations, while The Frontier Post added that the MoUs are part of a larger strategy to expand regional trade corridors and improve logistics networks.
Industry experts noted that the inclusion of Uzbek companies, particularly in the construction and chemical sectors, signals growing confidence in Afghanistan’s post‑conflict investment climate.
The agreements were formally signed in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce in Kabul, with representatives from the participating firms present to witness the documentation.
The commercial agreements are expected to facilitate joint ventures, technology transfer and market access for the involved companies, experts said.
Overall, the 18 MoUs represent a significant step in formalizing partnerships between Afghan and Uzbek businesses, underscoring a shared interest in mutual economic development and regional connectivity.