Russia has expressed strong interest in expanding investment and trade cooperation with Afghanistan during a meeting between Afghan and Russian officials in Moscow.

The Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate to Russia, Gul Hassan Hassan, met with Alexander Shkirando, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce, and Dmitry Antonov, Head of the Afghan–Russian Business Council.

During the talks, Russian officials highlighted their interest in increasing investment and commercial engagement with Afghanistan, noting that favorable conditions for investment have been established in the country.

Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan briefed the meeting on Afghanistan’s current security and economic situation and urged greater access for Afghan products to Russian markets, as well as an expansion of imports from Afghanistan.

Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia.

Afghan traders have signed an agreement with major Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies to import medicines directly from Bangladesh, a move that comes as Afghanistan prepares to halt the customs clearance of medicines imported from Pakistan.

The deal was reached during a visit to Dhaka by a delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mawlawi Ahmadullah Zahid, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The delegation visited two of Bangladesh’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers — BEXIMCO Pharmaceuticals Ltd and RENATA PLC — both of which export medicines to around 50 countries.

Under the agreement, Afghan traders will enter into direct contracts with Bangladeshi producers to supply medicines to the Afghan market.

During the visit, Mawlawi Zahid also invited Bangladeshi investors to establish pharmaceutical production facilities inside Afghanistan, stressing that nationwide security has been ensured and that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan supports industrial development and investment.

He said the government has provided all necessary facilities for investors and is committed to supporting domestic production.

Meanwhile, Dr. Naimullah Ayoubi, Director General of the Regulation of Medicines and Health Products at the Ministry of Public Health, assured Bangladeshi manufacturers of full cooperation in line with existing regulations.

The agreement follows an announcement by Afghan authorities that medicines imported from Pakistan will no longer be cleared through customs after the remaining 19-day grace period expires, prompting traders to seek alternative supply sources to ensure the continued availability of medicines in the country.

Afghanistan’s national power utility, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), has announced that Chinese investors are planning to invest in the generation of around 400 megawatts of electricity from coal in Kabul and several provinces.

According to a statement issued by DABS, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Haq Akhundzada Hamkar, on Wednesday held talks with Luo Zhongchun, the head of the Chinese investment consortium Afghan Yuchang (AYCC), regarding investment in coal-based power generation projects.

Welcoming the representatives of the Chinese company, Hamkar assured them that all conditions are currently in place to support investment in power generation, adding that investors can confidently invest in electricity production and the construction of related infrastructure.

Luo, the head of AYCC, expressed readiness to move forward with the projects, stating that in addition to a 60-megawatt power generation project in Kabul, the consortium would also invest in a 320-megawatt project in Takhar province.

He added that work on the 60-megawatt Kabul project would be the first phase.

Hamkar also said that projects aimed at expanding domestic power generation sources would see greater progress compared to the past. He noted that work is currently advancing rapidly on several projects, which, once completed, will largely meet the country’s electricity needs and help create conditions for the growth of industry and trade.

The announcement comes as Hamkar, in separate meetings with tribal elders and national investors, reaffirmed assurances that facilities and incentives are being created to encourage investment in new power generation projects.