Kazakhstan pledges $500 million railway investment in Afghanistan
Kazakhstan and Taliban-led Afghan government discuss rail link, mining, and visa reforms as part of broader economic engagement
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan has pledged a $500 million investment to build the Torghundi-Herat railway line in western Afghanistan, as part of a broader push to deepen political and economic ties with the Taliban-led Afghan government.
The commitment was made during a meeting between Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Afghan Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Khankendi, Azerbaijan. The two sides discussed infrastructure, mining, agriculture, and transit cooperation.
According to Afghan officials, Bektenov said Kazakhstan is also prepared to expand imports of Afghan fruit and facilitate exports through Kazakh territory. He noted that Kazakhstan is among Afghanistan’s top ten trading partners and confirmed plans for the Kazakh foreign minister to visit Kabul in the near future.
Baradar described Kazakhstan as a reliable regional partner and welcomed the appointment of a Kazakh special envoy for Afghanistan.
He emphasized Afghanistan’s role as a transit hub between Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, adding that the two countries could collaborate in trade, railway development, and transit infrastructure.
Baradar also highlighted a recent agreement on agricultural product preservation and quarantine, which he said could help boost bilateral trade to $3 billion. He proposed easing visa restrictions for Afghan citizens and allowing bank accounts in Kazakh financial institutions.
He further announced the establishment of a new Afghan company dedicated to railway-based import and export operations and said a draft agreement on international transport and transit had been prepared.
Talks are reportedly underway to reduce tariffs and expand cooperation with Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan in industrial and trade sectors.
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