TASHKENT. May 30 (Interfax) - The United States will buy fruit and vegetables for its servicemen in Afghanistan from Uzbek farmers, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Donald Nicholson told the Uzbek media.
This project is a good opportunity for Uzbek farmers, processing plants and distributors because the U.S. forces in Afghanistan are buying more than 40 tons of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, he said.
Even if Uzbekistan is unable to grow all kinds of fruit and vegetables the servicemen may need, it may produce a large share, he said, adding that the United States had been seeking such an opportunity.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce assisted the formation of a working group, which would provide technical support to the project involving local producers, refrigerator suppliers, processing plants and investors.
Fresh fruit and vegetables will be transported by rail or by truck via Termez, a city in southern Uzbekistan bordering on Afghanistan, across the bridge to the U.S. base in Afghanistan.
U.S. agricultural experts will verify the compliance of products with production requirements, sanitary norms, and requirements to insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers.
The United States will use the occasion to develop Uzbek exports to Russia, West and East Europe, he said.
The United States is holding negotiations with key wholesale distributors in Europe, which view the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables from Uzbekistan as an appealing alternative to traditional supplies, Nicholson said.