KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, called on Kazakhstan to ease visa procedures for Afghan traders during a meeting on Monday in Kabul with Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s deputy prime minister and minister of economy, the Taliban-run Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said both sides emphasized strengthening political and economic ties during the meeting, which coincided with a Kazakh trade exhibition in Kabul.
According to the statement, Zhumangarin said the purpose of his visit was to attend the exhibition of Kazakh products and to explore economic cooperation opportunities. He announced Kazakhstan’s readiness to invest $500 million in the development of the Torghundi–Herat railway project, a key infrastructure initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity.
Zhumangarin also revealed plans to establish a logistics and transport center in Herat Province, which he said would boost transit and trade between Afghanistan and neighboring countries.
The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in investment, trade, transit and transportation, and agreed to continue high-level engagements to solidify joint initiatives.
The Taliban, whose government remains internationally unrecognized, reiterated their interest in strengthening political, economic and transit ties with Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s government has not yet publicly commented on the details of the meeting.
