The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is focusing on enhancing economic and trade cooperation with Russia, mainly in the areas of energy, mining, and infrastructure. This initiative aims to create alternative markets to satisfy domestic needs and facilitate the export of Afghanistan’s products.
In a recent interview with the TASS news agency, Mawlavi Gul Hassan Hassan, the Afghanistan’s Ambassador in Moscow, highlighted the ongoing development of trade and economic relations between Kabul and Moscow. He expressed optimism that resolving specific challenges, particularly banking restrictions, would enable Afghanistan to import essential goods from Russia, including oil, gas, medicines, industrial products, wheat, and vegetable oils.
In exchange, Afghanistan is prepared to export a variety of agricultural products such as fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and carpets, as well as its mineral resources. According to Bakhtar News Agency, the ambassador noted that enhancing these exchanges could significantly increase bilateral trade.
Gul Hassan Hassan also mentioned plans to host exhibitions of Afghan goods in Moscow, which could effectively promote Afghanistan’s domestic products and increase trade circulation between the two countries.
Additionally, he stated that Kabul is open to collaboration with Moscow in mineral extraction, and that Russian companies are showing interest in investing in Afghanistan’s industrial, mining, and infrastructure sectors. Ongoing negotiations are aimed at developing small hydropower plants, with practical steps expected soon.
The ambassador emphasized that the economy is a crucial pillar of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s foreign policy. The Emirate aims to decrease reliance on traditional markets, position the country as a regional economic hub, and attract foreign investment.
Notably, Russian media reported that Afghanistan has become the largest buyer of Russian liquefied natural gas in the region, importing approximately 418,000 tons of LNG in the first 11 months of the previous year.
Both Russia and Afghanistan are committed to expanding cooperation in agriculture, energy, transport, and mining through bilateral economic forums, including the inaugural Russia–Afghanistan Trade Forum held last year in Kazan.
Officials from both countries view these collaborations as foundations for economic growth, job creation, and the enhancement of Afghanistan’s infrastructure.
