Uzbekistan Ready To Import Afghan Coal

Uzbekistan has expressed interest in importing coal from Afghanistan to achieve trade balance, according to the Tasnim news agency.

This statement was made by an Uzbek delegation during a meeting with representatives of the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Kabul.

Uzbekistan has previously shown interest in Afghan coal. In mid-May last year, it was reported that Tashkent planned to purchase 1 mn tonnes of coal. Afghanistan, a neighbouring country, has significant reserves of coking coal, with major deposits located in the northern provinces of the country.

Last year, Uzbekistan’s total imports of mineral fuels amounted to $3.9 bn, marking a 50.1% increase compared to 2023. Coal accounted for $180.2 mn, reflecting an 11.8% decline year-on-year.

Uzbek-Afghan trade turnover for 2024 exceeded $1.1 bn, with the bulk of the trade—$1 bn—comprising exports from Uzbekistan.