ARG Times — Several officials from the U.S. Chambers of Commerce, including the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are expected to arrive in Afghanistan tomorrow, sources confirmed. Two reliable Afghan sources told ARG Times that the delegation will travel directly to the northern province of Balkh.
According to these sources, no official statements have yet been released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or independent bodies, and key details of the trip remain undisclosed.
However, sources familiar with the agenda say the visiting officials are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) and the Balkh Chamber of Commerce.
Possible Visit to the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Joint Market
Another source informed ARG Times that the delegation may also visit the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Joint Market located in Termez. The market has recently gained strategic importance as a regional trade hub and a testing ground for cross-border economic cooperation.
Why Balkh? A Powerful Taliban Figure at the Center
The purpose of the delegation’s visit to Balkh remains unclear. Balkh is currently governed by one of the most influential Taliban officials, widely described as a close confidant and “right-hand man” of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
He has cultivated increasingly close — and sometimes opaque — relations with the business community, turning Balkh into one of the most active regions for new investment channels under Taliban rule.
This has raised questions about whether the U.S. trade officials’ visit signals emerging economic interests, quiet negotiations, or an exploratory assessment of current market conditions.
Silence from U.S. Agencies Adds to the Sensitivity
While internal Afghan sources insist that the trip is confirmed, the absence of any public acknowledgment from U.S. commercial bodies has added an unusual layer of sensitivity and speculation to the visit.
This unexpected arrival of American trade officials is poised to become one of the most closely watched developments in Afghanistan’s economic and political landscape in the coming days.
