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.
