The Afghan authorities have reduced fees and charges for cargo carriers from Uzbekistan, reports Gazeta.uz citing the press service of the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan.
Specifically, the fee previously set at 12,000 afghanis (approximately $182) for crossing the Amu Darya bridge has been reduced to 7,000 afghanis (around $106) as of September 28.
The entry fee for freight vehicles entering Afghanistan, which was previously 5,000 afghanis (about $76), is now set at 3,500 afghanis (approximately $53).
The reduction of these fees was discussed on July 4 during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov and an Afghan delegation led by the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, Nooruddin Azizi, in Tashkent.
Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan for January-September amounted to $762.1 million, marking a 23.9% increase compared to the same period last year ($615.3 million).
In late August, the International Trade Center “Termez” opened on the border with Afghanistan. In this free trade zone, payments can be made in US dollars, euros, rubles, and yuan. Entry through a special corridor without a visa is allowed for up to 15 days, enabling Afghan citizens to visit the center without requiring a visa for Uzbekistan.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 22, 2024