Afghanistan and Kazakhstan Discuss Extension of New Railway Network

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, on April 24th at the Chahar Chinar Palace of the Arg. During the meeting, various topics were discussed including political, economic, commercial, and transit issues, along with the extension of the new railway network from Kazakhstan to Pakistan through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Mullah Baradar Akhund highlighted the potential for strengthening political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan since the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate. He emphasized the importance of key initiatives such as the opening of the Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce in Herat province to enhance trade between the two countries, Kazakhstan's involvement in the Afghan-Trans Project, and Kazakhstan's removal of the Islamic Emirate from its list of proscribed groups. Mullah Baradar Akhund noted that while Afghanistan, with the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, has taken initial steps towards development and has established substantial economic institutions, challenges remain in areas such as agriculture, health, and infrastructure. He called for cooperation and joint efforts from Kazakhstan in addressing these challenges. Mullah Baradar Akhund also stressed the importance of signing agreements to resolve banking issues for businessmen from both countries, establishing joint Afghan-Kazakh businesses, and streamlining the visa process for Afghan businessmen. Following this, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin commended the progress made in Afghanistan since the Islamic Emirate came into power. He expressed Kazakhstan's commitment to working together with the Islamic Emirate towards a stable and developed Afghanistan. He welcomed the advancements in the Afghan-Trans Project and highlighted the potential benefits of extending the new railway network from Kazakhstan to Pakistan through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. This route, he noted, would offer a shorter and more cost-effective option for the involved countries, connecting Central Asia with South Asia through Afghanistan and linking Afghanistan with China and Europe through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Mr. Zhumangarin also mentioned Kazakhstan's intention to establish a joint chamber of industry and trade between the two countries to bolster trade with Afghanistan. Additionally, Kazakhstan expressed readiness to collaborate with Afghanistan in e-governance, industry, education, health, and banking sectors, including the investment of Kazakh investors in Afghanistan's mining sector.