Kazakhstan and Afghanistan are advancing their economic ties with the signing of $140mn in new trade agreements, solidifying their growing partnership, according to Caspian News. These deals were finalized during a recent business forum in Kabul, stressing the countries’ commitment to expanding trade and infrastructure cooperation.

The agreements were concluded during a visit by a Kazakh delegation to Afghanistan’s capital, where QazTrade, Kazakhstan’s trade policy development center, and the Ministry of Trade and Integration engaged in talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government. The signed agreements focus on the export of various Kazakh goods to Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum saw the participation of over 400 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from both nations. Kazakh manufacturers presented products across sectors such as agribusiness and textiles, signaling Kazakhstan’s intent to increase its market presence in Afghanistan.

During the forum, QazTrade signed three memorandums of cooperation with key Afghan institutions: the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines, and the International Exhibition Center of Afghanistan. These agreements are part of a broader economic roadmap signed in October 2024, which aims to establish long-term bilateral cooperation.

Afghanistan’s government is actively promoting investment and trade partnerships as part of its effort to revitalize the country’s economy, which has been deeply affected by years of conflict.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has become an increasingly important trading partner for Kazakhstan. In 2022, the two countries saw their mutual trade approach $1bn, an increase from previous years. Kazakhstan is a vital supplier of food products to Afghanistan, particularly flour, which made up 70% of Afghan imports from Kazakhstan in 2022. In return, Kazakhstan imports goods such as sweet, non-alcoholic beverages. Over 50 Kazakh-Afghan joint ventures currently operate in Kazakhstan, primarily in the trade sector.

Earlier, both nations signed a protocol of intent to begin constructing the Turgundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak railway line. This agreement was reached during the visit of Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin, to Afghanistan this week. The railway project is expected to enhance trade and connectivity between the two nations, further cementing their economic partnership.