A Taliban delegation signed a “cooperation roadmap” with Kazakhstan, covering sectors including trade, industry, mining, energy, logistics, agriculture, telecommunications, healthcare, higher education, and humanitarian assistance, according to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
Mujahid said the agreement aims to enhance economic ties and facilitate transit for Afghan imports and exports through Kazakhstan to China and other destinations.
According to Mujahid, Kazakhstan has assured Afghanistan of logistical support for smoother goods transit. Additionally, private sector contracts worth $100 million were signed between Afghan and Kazakh businesses, spanning multiple sectors.
This agreement comes as the Taliban administration remains unrecognized internationally.
Afghan traders continue to report significant challenges, including high taxes, steep tariffs, and a lack of cold storage facilities for perishable goods.
Banking and financial restrictions further complicate international transactions, impeding both imports and exports.
Mujahid also noted that Kazakhstan has agreed to allocate a logistics hub at the Khorgos dry port for Afghan goods to streamline loading and unloading processes.
The Kazakh government expressed interest in participating in Afghanistan’s railway projects, including the planned Torghundi-Herat, Kandahar-Spin Boldak, and Mazar-i-Sharif-Kharlachi rail lines, he said.
At a recent exhibition of Afghanistan’s goods in Kazakhstan, Mujahid reported that 50% of the displayed items were sold.
He said that discussions during the visit led to agreements on establishing Afghan product centers in major Kazakh cities, signing contracts for over 2,000 tons of dried fruit, and initiating fresh fruit exports to Kazakhstan.
However, Afghan farmers continue to express concerns over limited market access and inadequate agricultural support. Many report being forced to sell their products at low prices due to the lack of a stable domestic market.
