Movement of pedestrian across the Uzbek-Afghan border via the Termez-Hayraton Bridge has been restored, the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today.
Reportedly, residents will now be able to travel directly and safely between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan through checkpoints, with visa requirements remaining intact.
In June 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic (and the Taliban offensive in Afghanistan), public traffic across the bridge was suspended, allowing only trucks to cross. This significantly complicated travel for businesses.
To reach Mazar-i-Sharif, located 75 km from Ayritom (about an hour's journey), individuals and businesses had to take a detour through Tajikistan. The journey took almost a day, although the direct route across the bridge takes about an hour. These restrictions have now been lifted, and the route is reopened.
According to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the resumption of traffic significantly facilitates exports. Export volumes to Afghanistan have been steadily growing in recent years, and the opening of the route paves the way for reaching $2.5 billion by 2026.
The government is offering businesses a number of incentives to enter the Afghan market:
100% refund of warehouse maintenance costs for companies opening warehouses in Hairatan or Mazar-i-Sharif;
full refund of product advertising costs in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
The Chamber also urged entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity: "The Afghan market counts 59 million consumers with high demand and low competition. This is a unique opportunity that cannot be missed," the Chamber concluded.
