Where has gold processing started?
New production capacities have been launched in the economic zone of the Termez International Trade Center, located in southern Uzbekistan. The domestic company Termiz Gold Production has begun deep processing of precious raw materials imported from neighboring Afghanistan. This information was confirmed by the press service of the Customs Committee.
How was Afghan gold handled previously?
Until recently, Afghan gold moved through Uzbekistan solely in transit mode, passing through the country en route to third countries without undergoing any industrial processing. This approach meant that Uzbekistan did not capture added value from the movement of the precious metal.
What led to the change in the economic model?
The shift occurred after an inspection of the company’s capabilities by the leadership of the Surkhandarya regional customs administration, headed by Izzatulla Gulyamov. During a working visit to the facility, detailed negotiations were held involving the management of the Uzbek company and representatives of Afghanistan’s gold mining sector.
What is the new customs and production approach?
A key outcome of the discussions was the transition to a processing regime on the customs territory. This mechanism allows a significant share of added value to remain within Uzbekistan, transforming simple raw-material transit into full-scale production. Under the approved plan, the initial phase will process 20 kilograms of gold, with the pilot batch valued at approximately 2.9 million US dollars at current market prices.
What products will be manufactured?
Instead of merely forwarding raw resources, the enterprise will focus on producing jewelry semi-finished products. This strategic decision is aimed at strengthening the region’s export potential through high-margin goods and increasing the economic return from precious metal processing.
Why is this important for the region?
Successful implementation of this project is expected to simplify customs administration for specialized cargo and significantly enhance the investment attractiveness of Termez as an emerging industrial hub in Central Asia.
What role does Afghanistan play in gold supply?
Afghanistan possesses substantial gold reserves, historically extracted through artisanal methods, particularly in the provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan. Due to the lack of modern refining infrastructure within the country, most of the gold has traditionally been exported in raw form to Pakistan or the UAE, resulting in a significant loss of final value for the Afghan economy.