Afghan citizens accounted for the overwhelming majority of foreign visitors arriving in Uzbekistan for commercial purposes during the first half of 2026, reflecting expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
According to the National Statistics Committee, 228,600 foreign citizens visited Uzbekistan for commercial purposes between January and June 2026.
Afghan nationals made up the largest share of these visitors, with 205,937 arrivals during the six-month period. They were followed by visitors from Turkmenistan (16,322), Tajikistan (4,320), Kyrgyzstan (628), Kazakhstan (311), Russia (230), Turkiye (188), and other countries (679).
The figures represent a slight increase compared with the same period in 2025, when 223,600 foreign citizens visited Uzbekistan for commercial purposes. Afghan citizens also accounted for the largest share that year, with 207,536 arrivals. In comparison, only 1,569 Afghan citizens visited Uzbekistan for commercial purposes during the corresponding period of 2024.
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $3bn. A preferential trade agreement between the two countries came into effect in October 2024, eliminating import duties on a number of agreed products, including agricultural goods, carpets, and certain construction materials from Afghanistan.
In August 2024, Uzbekistan also opened the Termez International Trade Center to facilitate cross-border trade and business activity.
In August 2025, Afghanistan's acting Minister of Industry and Trade, Nuruddin Azizi, stated that trade and economic relations between Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan, had reached an unprecedented level.
