KAZAN — Taliban deputy chief minister in a meeting with head of the Russian republic of Mordovia on the sidelines of Kazan Forum invited their business leaders to invest in key sectors of Afghanistan’s economy.
According to a Taliban statement, Abdul Ghani Baradar in his meeting with Artyom Zdunov, the head of Mordovia, urged Mordovian investors to enter Afghanistan’s market, saying that the country is “currently open for investment” and that the Taliban government would offer “full cooperation and support” for foreign companies.
He cited Afghanistan’s traditional export strengths — including fresh and dried fruits, handwoven carpets, marble, and precious stones — and expressed interest in importing industrial equipment, construction materials, electrical tools, petroleum products, aluminum, and rail wagons from Mordovia, according to Taliban statement.
Zdunov reportedly expressed readiness to deepen trade ties with Afghanistan, saying Mordovia was open to launching exports of agricultural products through a supply route that would pass through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He also pointed to potential areas of cooperation in energy, agriculture, medicine, and pharmaceuticals.
Mordovia has yet to issue an official statement about the meeting.
