Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Discuss Trade, Railways, and Digitalization

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Acting Minister of Trade and Industry of Afghanistan, Nuriddin Azizi, during the Astana International Forum, Orda.kz reports, citing the Government's press service.

The two sides discussed expanding Kazakh exports, building new rail infrastructure, and advancing digital cooperation. Bektenov and Azizi agreed to step up joint projects in logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, healthcare, education, and geological exploration.

Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan reached $545.2 million in 2024, with $527.7 million coming from Kazakhstan's exports.

Kazakhstan remains one of Afghanistan’s top ten trading partners and a major supplier of grain and flour.

We are ready to expand the range of supplies — from livestock products to confectionery. For this purpose, the Kazakhstan Trade House has already been opened in Herat, and the next step is to open a similar representative office in Kabul,
 said Olzhas Bektenov.

The two sides also discussed the Turgundi–Herat trans-Afghan railway project, which could boost the North–South corridor and improve logistics between Central and South Asia.

Kazakhstan expressed readiness to participate in mineral extraction and processing in Afghanistan. Bektenov also noted that Kazakh experts could assist Afghanistan with economic digitalization.

Nuriddin Azizi praised the quality of Kazakh goods and expressed interest in purchasing agricultural equipment, IT services, and co-developing industrial projects:

Earlier this year, specialists from Kazakhstan began fieldwork in Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Economy, 130 kg of ore samples were collected in Nuristan province from suspected beryllium, lead, and zinc deposits.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov