Uzbekistan pledges $45 million for construction of power transmission line in Afghanistan

AKIPRESS.COM - Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov met Afghanistan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on July 1 in Balkh Province and promised to provide $45 million for construction of power transmission line in Afghanistan, TOLOnews reports.
The two sides discussed issues of mutual interests as well as economic relations between the two countries, the Chief Executive's Office said in a statement on Monday.
In a meeting with the Uzbek Prime Minister and his delegation in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, Abdullah said that time has come to implement the agreements which have been signed between the two countries.
He said trade volume between the two countries is good but added that it has the potential to improve.
"The Afghan government will continue its efforts to balance trade activities between the two countries. We are committed to creating more opportunity for Uzbek investors and we hope that such an opportunity is provided for Afghan investors in Uzbekistan," he added.
Meanwhile, the Uzbek Prime Minister extended his condolences to the people of Afghanistan over the terrorist attack in Kabul and said that the people and government of Uzbekistan are standing with Afghans.
He said they will leave no stone unturned to make efforts for a peaceful Afghanistan.
"We want to strengthen the relations between the two countries. Our attempt to hold an exhibition and attract the attention of Afghan investors is based on this goal," he said.
Aripov vowed that his country is ready to closely cooperate with Afghanistan in different sectors, including agriculture, trade, electricity, and railway.
"Uzbekistan will contribute $45 million to the power transmission line from Sarkhan in Uzbekistan to Pul-e-Khumri [in Baghlan] which is almost 200 kilometers in length and will cost $110 million," he said.