Business
IEA and Kyrgyz trade officials meet in Kabul
A bilateral meeting between a delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) led by Nooruddin Azizi, the acting minister of commerce and industry, and a visiting delegation led by Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Economy and Trade Daniyar Amangeldiev was held on Thursday in Kabul.
The ministry of commerce said in a memo that members of the private sector of both countries also attended the meeting.
Azizi said in the meeting: “We have trade with each of the Central Asian countries to the amount of one billion dollars, and we hope that this trip will be useful for the people of the two countries.”
He also emphasized the development and consolidation of trade and transit relations between the two countries.
“Afghanistan wants low-cost transit through the Kyrgyz Republic to the People’s Republic of China, and now the private sector of the two countries is also present, and we fully support the private sector of Afghanistan,” Azizi said.
Kyrgyzstan’s minister of trade and economy meanwhile said: “The conditions and opportunities for strengthening relations and development in the field of trade and transit have become favorable, and we hope that the private sector of both sides can sign a memorandum of cooperation in the near future.”
Amangeldiev raised the issue of their export capacity of fish and meat and the need to import agricultural products from Afghanistan.
He also raised the topic of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line.
“Afghanistan can be connected to this railway through the country of Uzbekistan, which has very good relations with Afghanistan. Also, Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which are the mentioned countries in the field of trade; they have almost the same standards and we support Afghanistan’s entry into this market,” Amangeldiev said.
Azizi welcomed Amangeldiev’s remarks, and said the IEA was ready to strengthen trade and transit relations between the two countries.
A decision was meanwhile taken to establish contact teams from both sides.
Pakistan’s kinno exports remain far below potential as regional tensions, high freight costs and weak government support continue to choke the citrus trade.
Despite being a leading global citrus producer, Pakistan is expected to export just 400,000–450,000 tonnes of kinno in the 2025–26 season, compared with an estimated capacity of 700,000–800,000 tonnes.
Exports in 2024–25 stood at around 350,000–400,000 tonnes, mainly to Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Central Asia. While better fruit quality this season has raised hopes, persistent crossing disruptions—especially with Afghanistan—and transport bottlenecks have offset gains.
Growers say prices have collapsed sharply, forcing panic sales. Rates for large kinno have fallen from over Rs120 per kg early in the season to as low as Rs75, while smaller fruit is selling for Rs35–40 per kg amid weak demand.
Industry leaders warn the crisis is crippling processing units and jobs. More than 100 factories reportedly failed to open this season, with dozens more shutting down as exports stall. Cold storages in Sargodha are nearly full, putting fruit worth millions of dollars at risk of spoilage, while growers fear losses of up to Rs10 billion.
Exporters are urging the government to urgently resolve issues, subsidise logistics, and help access alternative markets, warning that prolonged inaction could devastate farmers, workers and the wider economy.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran will facilitate trade and economic exchanges with Afghanistan, including easing procedures at customs and local marketplaces.
He made the remarks during a televised interview following his visit to South Khorasan province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.
Pezeshkian, in a separate event addressing local business leaders, highlighted the province’s strategic advantages, citing its rich mineral resources, proximity to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, and access to the ocean via the Chabahar port. He described the region as “a golden opportunity not found everywhere,” emphasizing its potential for economic growth and cross-border commerce.
A Kazakh delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan met with Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, to discuss ways of strengthening banking and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, Khalid said the central bank is keen to establish regular and effective banking relations with Kazakhstan as part of broader efforts to expand bilateral trade.
He noted that enhanced banking cooperation would help facilitate trade, investment, and wider economic interaction between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, while also contributing to financial stability at the regional level.
Members of the Kazakh delegation also emphasized the importance of developing banking and economic ties and expressed their readiness to expand joint cooperation.
The two sides further agreed to establish technical committees from both countries to hold expert-level discussions and advance practical steps for cooperation.
Tahawol: Scholars slam Pakistan’s attacks on Afghanistan
Afghanistan exports 10 containers of batteries to Saudi Arabia and UAE for first time
Saar: Discussion over the fate of Ukraine’s war
ILT20: Russell and Rutherford fined for code of conduct breaches
Afghan Health Minister hails India visit as new chapter in bilateral ties
Gaza death toll tops 70,000, health ministry says
Iran rerouting more oil to China through Indonesia to dodge US sanctions
Islamic Emirate declines to attend Tehran meeting on Afghanistan
Cotton Industry in Crisis: Balkh farmers call for urgent action on exports
Torkham crossing likely to reopen on humanitarian grounds
Tahawol: Scholars slam Pakistan’s attacks on Afghanistan
Saar: Discussion over the fate of Ukraine’s war
Tahawol: Return of 6.8 million Afghan refugees to IEA rule
Saar: Pakistan army chief’s allegations against Afghanistan
Tahawol: CSTO’s security concerns over Afghanistan
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghan border forces prevent illegal entry of hundreds into Iran
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan summons Afghan diplomat over deadly attack in North Waziristan
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan health minister calls for medical cooperation between Kabul and New Delhi
-
Latest News4 days agoJapan allocates nearly $20 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoKarzai urges reopening of girls’ schools and universities for Afghanistan’s bright future
-
Latest News3 days agoBush Institute criticizes Trump administration’s Afghan immigration freeze
-
Health5 days agoIndia issues over 200 medical visas to Afghans in last four months