Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to invest $500 million in the Herat-Torghundi railway project. The agreement was formalized during a meeting between Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Murat Nurtuliev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Presidential Palace today, Thursday.
The discussions centered on enhancing trade, transit, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Deputy PM Mullah Baradar highlighted the positive trajectory of Afghan-Kazakh ties, emphasizing the potential of Afghanistan as a transit corridor for Kazakh energy to South Asia.
Both officials acknowledged the opportunities for joint ventures in various sectors, including mining, transport, communications, energy production, and infrastructure development. They also explored the signing of agreements on agricultural product protection, international transportation, and reducing transit fees, which could elevate bilateral trade to $3 billion.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed ongoing support for Afghanistan on the international stage and expressed readiness to increase electricity imports and facilitate Afghan agricultural exports to Kazakhstan. The commitment to the Herat-Torghundi railway marks a crucial step toward bolstering transit and trade relations.
The agreement, signed today, Thursday is expected to pave the way for enhanced economic ties and development in the region, underscoring the mutual benefits of cooperation between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.
