Afghanistan has been undergoing significant reconstruction in the past few years. With this reconstruction, there is a great need for materials like wood, metal, and concrete. Tajik firms, however, have not been benefiting from the demand for construction materials in Afghanistan. This is beginning to change with the EDP facilitated export of 194.5 metric tons of Tajik aluminum cable to Mazari-Sharif, Afghanistan.

In April and August 2004, EDP Afghan Trade Coordinator Khushvakht Rakhmikhudoev met with representatives from Muhammad Salim Trading Company in Kunduz and Mazari-Sharif, Afghanistan. Since Mr. Salim was very interested in trading opportunities with Central Asia, Khushvakht presented him with information on numerous products from Central Asia that could effectively compete in the Afghan market. Mr. Salim expressed interest in importing many products including Uzbek flour, Turkmen tomato paste and Tajik aluminum cable. In January 2005 the EDP facilitated its first trade deal with Muhammad Salim LTD with the export of 194.6 metric tons of non-insolated wires for aerial power transmission lines valued at USD 303,555.

In December of 2004, Mr. Salim contacted EDP Trade Advisor Pulod Amirbekov. Pulod then contacted the Tajik firm Alimardon LTD, which is the trading agent for JSC TojCable. Pulod helped the company prepare the commercial offer for three types of wire* to be delivered to the Hairaton station in Afghanistan. The contract was signed on January 27th and Muhammad Salim LTD representatives in Mazari-Sharif received two trainloads of Tajik aluminum wire in February. Past trade deals between Tajik and Afghani firms have involved the transfer of Russian construction materials to Afghanistan. This trade deal is significant because it is the first EDP facilitated trade deal for Tajik construction materials exported to Afghanistan.