Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration, Serik Zhumangarin, who leads a delegation, held meetings with officials in Kabul on Saturday with the aim of improving economic ties with Afghanistan.
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi in a meeting with the delegation discussed investment, strengthening of transportation infrastructure and expanding trade volume between the two countries to $3 billion, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce authorities said.
“They discussed ways to increase trade volume between the two countries to $3 billion,” said Jawad Dabir, head of public relations in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. “The construction of railway infrastructure, trade, investment, the issuance of visas to investors and the organizing of exhibitions were all discussed.”
The ministry said that the Kazakh delegation also stressed the implementation of the three matters that were discussed in the meeting.
The Chamber of Commerce and Investment said Kazakhstan’s role is important in improving trade and investment in Afghanistan.
“Kazakhstan needs to establish its ties with South Asia. Their sole means of communication is the transit route from Afghanistan,” said Yunus Momand, head of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration in the meeting said his country is ready to issue 30-day visas to Afghan businessmen.
Meanwhile, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting minister of foreign affairs, in a meeting with the delegation from Kazakhstan said that there are good investment opportunities in Afghanistan and that Kazakh businessmen can use these opportunities by starting investments here.
During the meeting, Muttaqi noted that the level of trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan has increased over the past year and has reached $900 million.