KABUL(BNA) Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce convened a press conference today, Thursday at the Government Media and Information Center to discuss the outcomes of a recent visit by a Kazakh delegation to Afghanistan.
The delegation, led by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, comprised 40 members, including government officials and businessmen, engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Afghanistan authorities.
During the briefing, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, the Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, detailed the progress of Afghanistan’s trade relations with Kazakhstan and other countries. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s trade ports are fully operational, enabling seamless bilateral commerce.
The Kazakh delegation met with officials from Afghanistan’s Ministries of Industry and Commerce, Mines and Petroleum, Transport, Telecommunications, Agriculture, the Afghan Railways Authority, private enterprises, and other relevant entities.
Highlighting the agreements made, Minister Azizi stated that the two countries have committed to expanding their annual trade volume from $1 billion to $3 billion. Afghanistan will begin exporting a range of goods, including precious and semi-precious stones, minerals, cotton, beverages, and fresh and dried fruits, to Kazakhstan. Furthermore, Kazakhstan has pledged to allocate space at its Khorgos Port for Afghan goods, facilitating trade efficiency.
Minister Azizi also announced the establishment of a joint intergovernmental working committee to strengthen bilateral ties. Afghanistan has requested streamlined visa procedures for its traders and drivers, while both countries agreed to resume direct Kabul-Almaty flights in the near future.
Additionally, Kazakhstan will provide assistance in digitizing Afghanistan’s mining and agricultural systems and will also train Afghan railway personnel. Furthermore, efforts are underway to bolster banking relations to support trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.
In the meeting, Kairat Torebayev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the visit. He highlighted the friendship between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, emphasizing that their collaboration extends beyond rhetoric and is evidenced through tangible partnerships. Torebayev further affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to cooperate in key sectors such as trade, mining, transportation, telecommunications, and agriculture.
The press conference concluded with officials responding to journalists’ queries. They reiterated their commitment to implementing the agreements reached and fostering stronger bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.
