A delegation from the Taliban-run commerce ministry travelled to Bangladesh on Sunday amid prolonged closures of key trade routes with neighbouring Pakistan, which have disrupted supplies and pushed up prices at home.
The ministry said in a statement that the visit aims to discuss bilateral trade relations, expand commerce, facilitate exports and imports and explore investment opportunities between Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The delegation is led by Ahmadullah Zahid, the Taliban deputy minister of industry and commerce, and includes a number of Afghan traders, the statement said.
Bangladesh’s government has not publicly commented on the visit.
The trip comes as Afghanistan has faced major trade disruptions following the closure of several border crossings with Pakistan for more than three months amid tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban.
Pakistan is Afghanistan’s main transit route for imports and exports, and traders say the prolonged shutdown has contributed to rising prices of imported food, medicines and other essential goods, adding to pressure on households.
The Taliban authorities say they are seeking to diversify trade partnerships and reduce reliance on a single transit route.
