The first part of a joint marketplace has opened at the Afghan-Uzbek border.
TOLOnews says an official opening ceremony of the Termez International Trade Center at the Afghan-Uzbek border took place on December 27.
Bakhtiar Roziof, the head of the Trade Center, told TOLOnews that the joint marketplace had been established with the aim of expanding trade and economic cooperation between businesspeople of the two countries.
4,000 shops, a health center, a restaurant, and a separate area for production and logistics are located and the shop started their activities.
It has been said that Afghan citizens can enter this marketplace without a visa and stay for up to ten days.
“At least US$75 million has been invested in this big project, and created big trade facilities for traders of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan,” Roziof said.
Bakhtiar noted that the second part of the marketplace will open for merchants within the first quarter of 2023.
An Afghan investor further noted that the establishment of the marketplace is important for improving investment in the country.
According to TOLOnews, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment in Afghanistan said that finding a way for Afghanistan’s products in any market is essential for the country’s economy.
Meanwhile, Uzbek media outlets note that at least 10,000 Afghans are living in Uzbekistan and many of them are engaged in trade activities.
