Uzbekistan introduced additional benefits for railway cargo transportation to Afghanistan
Uzbekistan has introduced additional benefits and preferences for rail cargo transportation to Afghanistan, and is also creating the first three free trade zones, Uzbek mass media reported. This was announced during the negotiations between the Uzbek delegation and representatives of Afghan trading companies held in Mazar-I-Sharif and Khayraton. The parties discussed increasing the volume of import and export of goods transported by rail to Afghanistan and from it. Representatives of “Uzbekiston Temir Yullari” informed entrepreneurs of the neighboring state about the introduction of a number of benefits and preferences for railway cargo transportation in 2020. In particular, the discount for the transportation of flour from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan amounts from 45% to 66% in comparison with the previously established tariffs. In addition, there is a 50% discount on additional fees, and the discount for en route transporting flour and petroleum products amounts from 20% to 50%. Another innovation is that all additional fees for Afghanistan’s export cargo have been canceled, except for the fees for execution of a transport document, and a 50% discount is rendered for all cargo. Furthermore, the first three free trade zones will be created in Uzbekistan this year. “In the Andijan, Termez and Kungrad regions, we envisage the creation of free trade zones and the development of cross-border trade through them,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his message. The President added that private trading companies should be engaged in determining the types of products in demand, searching for market outlets and sales of goods. To accomplish this, a package of laws should be devised to regulate their activities. It concerns the trade on both foreign and domestic markets.
