Int'l trade center opens at Uzbek-Afghan borderUzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov has attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Termez international trade center, a free trade area, near the border with Afghanistan, the Uzbek government's press service said on Thursday.The ceremony was also attended by acting Afghan Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Bardar, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Kyrgyz Deputy Economy and Trade Minister Nazarbek Malayev, and Kazakh Deputy Trade and Integration Minister Kairat Torebayev."The Termez international trade center has been established to facilitate a favorable business environment and logistics, simplify administrative procedures, and create necessary conditions for entrepreneurs," Aripov was quoted by the press service as saying.The center will become an important platform for expanding trade ties and implementing joint projects in the region, he said.The participants in the ceremony were also shown around the center and were informed that the center offers all opportunities for business, including a 15-day visa-free regime, a tax-free zone, as well as conditions for shopping, medical treatment, cultural activities and education.On May 13, the Uzbek president issued a decree on developing the operations of the Termez international trade center, which is a free trade zone.Under the document, entrepreneurs operating at the Termez international trade center can hire foreigners, including Afghan citizens, and noncitizens on the basis of labor contracts and without the need to confirm their right to work in Uzbekistan. Afghan and Pakistani citizens can rent shops, buildings and other facilities in the free trade zone for the purpose of providing services and production, or purchase them as an exception.Payments in wholesale and retail trade within the free trade zone can be made in dollars, euros, Chinese yuan and Russian rubles along with Uzbek sum. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: Interfax