Uzbek-Afghan intergovernmental commission for trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation held its session on 18 July in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The delegation of Afghan businessmen was headed by Mir Amin Muhammad Farkhang, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The commission co-chairman from the Uzbek side, Vice Prime Minister N.Khanov, said Uzbekistan was greatly interested in expanding trade-economic with Afghanistan.

Uzbek-Afghan trade turnover increased for 55.2% since last year.

At the session, the sides discussed issues of increasing trade turnover and diversification of trade.

However, it was said at the session, the figures could be higher if all of the available potential was used.

During the session the sides also discussed the projects on developing the economic relation between two countries, such as developing transport communications, agriculture, tourism, oil and gas processing, and others.

The Minister from Afghanistan also visited the grand Khazrati Imam Mosque, Barokkhon Madrassah, the place of veneration of Muyi Muborak, the new building of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

The delegation has also observed the unique manuscript Koran, mostly known as the Usman Koran in the Muslim world.

They have underscored that construction of such buildings is practical result of the works under way in Uzbekistan in securing the tolerance, upbringing the youth in the spirit of respect to national values.

International Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), which is one of the Islamic Conference Organization’s structures, has named Tashkent a world capital of Islamic culture in 2007.

Tashkent has been honored to receive such high and honorable rank thanks to the outstanding merits of Uzbekistan before the Islamic culture and science, preservation of monuments and further enrichment of Islamic heritage.

In its choice the ISESCO has taken into consideration, above all, the policies of Uzbekistan’s Leadership aimed at reviving the cultural and spiritual values of Uzbek people, as well as the measures taken by the Government of Uzbekistan to protect and carefully preserve the monuments of Islamic civilization.