“Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, as two of the most populous countries in Central Asia, possess remarkable potential for economic cooperation. With populations exceeding 37-38 million each, both nations represent sizable consumer markets. Their shared 144-kilometer border naturally fosters opportunities for expanding bilateral trade, developing transport and logistics corridors, and promoting cross-border zones. The economic complementarity between the two states is evident: Uzbekistan, with its industrial capacity and growing export potential, seeks to diversify and enlarge its external markets, while Afghanistan, in the process of rebuilding its economy after decades of conflict, requires high-quality imports, investment, and infrastructural support. Yet despite these favorable conditions, a number of obstacles continue to impede the full realization of this partnership.”
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Authors:
Saodat Umarova, Economic Analyst at the Center for Progressive Reforms, PhD candidate at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Islomkhon Gafarov, Policy Analyst at the Center for Progressive Reforms, Senior Lecturer at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, PhD in Political Science, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
