Kazakhstan Grows Economic Ties With Afghanistan
By IAR Desk
Countries in the region continue their cooperation with Taliban ruled Afghanistan. Many like Kazakhstan are actively developing economic ties with Afghanistan which is also helping to develop the latter’s economy.
Kazakhstan is the latest of countries which has concluded some major business deals with the war torn country.
Recently, on 29 October ,a Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum was held in the Kazakh city of Shymkent. About 15 documents worth a total of $303 million were signed. The forum brought together business and government representatives from both countries and was organized with the support of the Kazakh government.
According to the information of the Ministry of Trade of Kazakhstan, opening the event, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin noted the importance of cooperation between the countries. Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industry Nuriddin Azizi and Kazakh Presidential Special Representative for Afghanistan Yerkin Tukumov also delivered welcoming remarks.
One of the key highlights of the forum was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center and Shymkent Invest – Front Office. This cooperation opens new opportunities for joint investment and strengthening trade ties between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.
“Despite the challenges, we are confident that bilateral trade will grow. Our goal is not only to maintain current volumes but also to expand the range of exported goods,” noted QazTrade CEO Aitmuhammed Aldazharov. According to QazTrade, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $545.2 million in 2024. Growth was observed in a number of goods, such as rolled steel, trucks, and sugar.
One of the main outcomes of the forum was an agreement between QazTrade and Gazanfar Corporation to establish a partnership office in Mazar-i-Sharif. This office will become an important hub for developing bilateral trade and expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.
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