Thu Sep 19 07:27:35 UTC 2024: ## Uzbekistan Opens New Trade Center on Afghan Border, Aiming to Boost Regional Commerce and Offer Opportunities to Afghans

**Termez, Uzbekistan** – A new international trade center, the Airitom Free Zone, has opened on the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, offering a glimmer of hope for Afghans seeking economic opportunity and closer ties with the outside world. The sprawling facility, boasting a customs office, storage areas, a Hilton Garden Inn, a high-tech hospital, and business space, aims to generate $1.2 billion in trade and attract 1.5 million visitors annually.

The zone, built at a cost of $70 million, is strategically located on the Amu Darya River, a key transportation route connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. It is envisioned as a catalyst for regional trade and economic development, with special attention to fostering Afghan participation.

“This is the beginning of a common market,” said Ajmalik Nader Saghpi, an Afghan visitor from Laghman Province. “We’ve been dreaming about this for so long.” The zone offers a visa-free entry for foreigners for two weeks, allowing them to conduct business in any currency, customs-free. Furthermore, 40% of the space is allocated to Afghan manufacturers and traders, and up to 30% of the projected 5,000 jobs are available for them.

Afghan entrepreneurs like Hakim Yar, who plans to open offices for export-import and agricultural businesses, have already begun taking advantage of the opportunities. “We can still work, build, trade, earn, expand, and invest,” said Qari Shergulan, another Afghan businessman, expressing confidence in his country’s potential despite current challenges.

The project has garnered high-level support, with visits from Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Taliban’s acting Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, and cabinet members from neighboring countries. The initiative is spearheaded by Akfa Group, one of Uzbekistan’s largest industrial holdings, and the project is funded by the group without any Western involvement, although South Asians, Russians, Chinese, and Arabs have shown interest.

While the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, expressed support for projects that help ordinary Afghan people and contribute to stability, he emphasized that the U.S. remains opposed to recognizing the Taliban regime and will continue to address concerns through the Doha process.

The Airitom Free Zone stands as a significant step in fostering economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, offering a platform for trade, investment, and development. Its success, however, will depend on addressing ongoing challenges in Afghanistan, maintaining stability in the region, and fostering a conducive environment for international engagement.

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