A business connection conference between the private sectors of Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan was organized by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment today (Wednesday) in Kabul.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Taliban stated that the main goals of the conference were to identify opportunities, assess challenges, and take practical steps to address them.
In the event, Nooruddin Azizi also announced the establishment of a Kyrgyz Trade House in Kabul and added that Afghanistan also plans to open its own Trade House in Bishkek.
Azizi stated: “Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan are two interconnected countries; one holds a strategic position in the heart of South and West Asia’s connectivity, and the other is a gateway to Central Asia and the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union. This complementarity has created unique opportunities for expanding cooperation.”
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Economy and Trade spoke of increasing trade volume between Kabul and Bishkek and added that his country is interested in expanding exports of food products, industrial goods, textiles, construction materials, and other items needed in the Afghan market.
Bakyt Sydykov, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Economy and Trade, said: “The Trade House will serve as a suitable platform for establishing direct contacts between companies, organizing goods transit, and hosting trade meetings. Previously, a Trade House of the Kyrgyz Republic was also opened in the Termez Free Economic Zone.”
At the conference, contracts worth $157 million were signed between 10 companies in sectors including cement, fresh fruits, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, technical support, transit, telecommunications, and security cameras.
The head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment also highlighted the existing investment opportunities in the country and said the chamber strives to take fundamental and sustainable steps between the private sectors of both nations.
Sayed Karim Hashemi emphasized: “The Chamber of Commerce and Investment is committed to acting as a bridge between the traders of both countries and to cooperate in facilitating trade, removing barriers, and organizing joint exhibitions.”
This delegation, led by the Kyrgyz Minister of Economy and Trade, visited Afghanistan at a time when trade between Kabul and Islamabad has been suspended for over two months a halt that has opened new doors for Afghanistan’s trade and turned the country into an unprecedented focus of interest for Central Asian nations.
