Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum Set for Tuesday in Kabul

The third annual Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum is set to take place Tuesday in Kabul, aimed at deepening economic and political ties between the two countries.

The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce released a statement stating that "Opportunities for cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and transit between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan will be examined in this forum."

The forum, first held in Astana in 2023, has since become important to the growing economic and political relationship between Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy and Afghanistan, following the establishment of diplomatic ties that same year.

On Monday, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Sirik Zhumangarin arrived in the Afghan capital, leading a high-level delegation that met with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.

During the meeting, Kazakhstan pledged a $500 million investment to help develop the Torghundi–Herat railway, a strategic project expected to boost trade connectivity. The countries also discussed resuming direct flights and easing visa procedures for traders.

Despite not officially recognizing the Taliban-led government, Kazakhstan has taken steps toward diplomatic normalization. In 2023, it allowed Taliban-appointed diplomats to assume control of the Afghan embassy in Astana and removed the group from its list of banned organizations last year.

Since then, bilateral cooperation has grown. Zhumangarin noted Monday that this marks his fourth visit to Afghanistan. The business forum is expected to include officials from both governments and the private sector.

Russia followed suit last week by also delisting the Taliban as a banned group. Shortly afterward, it was announced that a high-level summit between Russia and Afghanistan will be held in Kazan next month, to be led by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.