Afghan-Industry & Trade: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan opened a joint light industries exhibition in Termez, aiming to boost trade and joint production in areas like textiles, food processing, packaging, and quality upgrades, with Afghan exports to Uzbekistan reported at $145m last year. Construction & Investment: Kabul’s Qala-e-Zaman Khan is set for a private plan for 20 high-rise buildings after national cricketer Najibullah Zadran and an Arab investor announced the project, pitching installment sales to create jobs and housing. Energy & Industry Cooperation: A UN-backed push for industrial and economic engagement continues as Afghanistan-Uzbekistan trade ties expand, while regional corridor talk remains central to investment plans. Humanitarian Pressure on the Economy: Reuters reports Afghan families returning from Iran due to Iran’s currency collapse and economic crisis, with women facing severe restrictions on education, travel, and work—raising pressure on Afghanistan’s labor and services. Security & Business Environment: A UN report says the Taliban continue rights violations and restrictions, while UN also notes ongoing security incidents and limited opposition attacks—factors that shape investor confidence. Digital Payments (Regional Spillover): Mastercard and Pakistan’s Bank of Khyber signed a digital payments alliance to expand cashless services, a sign of how regional fintech could support cross-border commerce.