Afghanistan, Kazakhstan deepen trade ties with $360 million agreements

KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — Afghanistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) on Tuesday announced the opening of a major exhibition in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, showcasing Afghan products and industries as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment.

The event was inaugurated by Afghan Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi alongside Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, as well as traders and investors from both countries, the ministry said in a statement.

Azizi thanked the Kazakh government for hosting the exhibition, noting that the goal was to promote Afghan products — including agricultural goods, carpets, gemstones, food items, and construction materials — and to strengthen economic cooperation between Kabul and Astana.

On the sidelines of the Afghanistan–Kazakhstan Trade Forum, the two sides signed agreements worth over $360 million between 15 Afghan and Kazakh companies across multiple sectors, including petroleum products, wheat, flour, foodstuffs, transportation, detergents, pasta, and joint investments, the MoCI said.

Azizi stated that Afghanistan, “with its current stability and investor-friendly conditions,” is ready to expand trade and private-sector cooperation with regional countries.

The ministry added that the new deals reflect Kabul’s efforts to diversify its import sources and attract regional investment, while offering Kazakh firms new opportunities in the Afghan market.