Afghan–Kyrgyz meetings in Kabul yield trade agreements worth more than $156m, ministry says

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce said a set of Afghan–Kyrgyz meetings in Kabul on Wednesday ended with business agreements worth “more than USD 156 million” and new steps to formalise trade ties, including the opening of a Kyrgyzstan Trade House in the Afghan capital.

The ministry said the Afghan–Kyrgyz Trade Connectivity Conference was held with Nooruddin Azizi, the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, and Bekit Sydykov, the Minister of Economy and Trade of the Kyrgyz Republic, alongside private sector representatives from both countries.

In remarks shared by the ministry, Azizi described the Kyrgyz delegation’s visit as “a continuation” of Afghanistan’s earlier trip to Kyrgyzstan and “a turning point in strengthening economic cooperation” between the two sides. He said the two countries “complement each other”, with Afghanistan positioned in “the heart of South and West Asian connectivity” and Kyrgyzstan acting as “a gateway to Central Asia” and the Eurasian Economic Union markets.

According to the ministry, Azizi said a signed roadmap and trade memorandums of understanding would provide “an operational framework” for bilateral economic relations. He also called the Kyrgyzstan Trade House a “bridge” between the private sectors of both countries, and said Afghanistan plans to establish an Afghanistan Trade House in Kyrgyzstan.

Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Sydykov, in comments carried by the ministry, highlighted the “strategic position” of both countries and stressed joint investment, transit cooperation and mutual trade. The ministry said Sydykov also assured that a six-month action plan to implement the signed roadmap would be placed among the ministry’s priorities.

The ministry said the sides also held a bilateral meeting covering trade expansion, “targeting specific export items”, transit agreements, foreign and joint investment, and regular joint working group sessions.

Copied