The third Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum and a joint exhibition in Kabul highlighted growing economic collaboration between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, called Kazakhstan a valuable friend and stressed the importance of expanding trade. He emphasized efforts to increase agreements between private sectors and governments, noting the potential for Kazakhstan to serve as a key transit point for Afghan goods to Russia and China.
Azizi also stated that the Islamic Emirate is working on creating trade centers in both Kabul and Almaty. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Serik Jumanğarin, expressed the country’s readiness to engage in joint infrastructure and production projects with Afghanistan, including in agriculture, textiles, and food processing. Kazakhstan also aims to support Afghanistan’s ongoing infrastructure development with projects like the Torghundi-Herat and Kandahar-Spin Boldak railways.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), represented by Roza Otunbayeva, acknowledged Kazakhstan’s key role in Afghanistan’s infrastructure projects, highlighting the importance of sharing expertise for sustainable development.
Representatives from Afghanistan’s private sector urged neighboring countries, especially Kazakhstan, to support Afghan exports and aid in resolving issues related to Afghanistan’s frozen assets abroad. Kabul’s Governor, Aminullah Obaid, called for greater investment in Afghanistan, urging foreign investors to seize the opportunity presented by the nation’s security and development efforts.
Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan reached 545 million USD in 2024, and both nations aim to increase bilateral trade to three billion USD. This forum marked a significant step in fostering long-term economic relations between the two countries, laying the groundwork for future growth and mutual cooperation.
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