Afghan–Uzbek Trade Push: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan signed 22 trade memorandums worth over $200 million in Kabul, targeting a jump in bilateral trade to $5 billion; the deals include logistics and sector cooperation, with Uzbekistan committing to buy 100,000 tonnes of Afghan cotton after a trial export of 10,000 tonnes. Healthcare Infrastructure: UN-Habitat has begun building a waiting hall at Kabul’s Chahar Asiab Hospital with support from JICA, aiming to improve patient and caregiver comfort and access to services. Agriculture Cooperation: Taliban officials met Uzbekistan’s deputy prime minister to expand cooperation in agriculture, livestock, and irrigation, including joint projects and agricultural production and processing. Regional Connectivity & Logistics: A Black and Caspian Freight Forum in Baku (Sept 7–9) will spotlight corridors like the Middle Corridor and the Trans-Afghan corridor, focusing on capacity, infrastructure investment, and freight efficiency. Development in Bamyan: UN reporting says development projects in remote Bamyan are improving access to services, including agriculture, irrigation, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, cultural heritage, and healthcare. Security & Industry Pressure in Badakhshan: Taliban faces armed resistance in Badakhshan linked to opium cultivation and gold-mining pressures, raising risks for trade and stability near the Tajik border. Cross-border Trade Planning: Iran’s South Khorasan officials discussed an Iran–Afghanistan–China joint free trade/industrial zone concept, pitching Afghanistan’s minerals and transit position as part of a “secure” corridor.