INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has signed five mining agreements with Uzbekistan worth $1.15 billion.These were among 35
agreements and memorandums of understanding signed recently with Uzbekistan & MoUs worth $2.5 billion.The deals in the mining sector include
the geological survey of the hydrocarbon reserves in the Afghan-Tajik oil basin, geological surveys of the copper and gold reserves in the
Qandalan area of Zabul province, generation of 120 MW gas-based electricity, geophysical and geological survey of gas and oil reserves in
the Toti Maidan area of Faryab province, and the geological survey of the iron reserves in the Hesh area of Bamiyan province.Trade relations
between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has been deepening especially after Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov this month became the
highest-ranking foreign leader to visit Afghanistan since the IEA returned to power in 2021. Relates stories:Uzbekistan PM arrives in
KabulAfghanistan-Uzbekistan trade fair opens in KabulThe post IEA announces mining deals worth over $1 billion with Uzbekistan first
