Minister of Economy Din Mohammad Hanif and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Acting Country Director Robert Anzikowa have discussed ongoing humanitarian assistance and support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in Afghanistan.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the meeting focused on the challenges facing displaced communities, the status of current aid programs, emergency assistance for vulnerable people, and humanitarian needs across the country.

Anzikowa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, including legal assistance, education, livelihood support, food security programs, emergency aid for IDPs and returnees, job creation initiatives for youth, and shelter assistance for returning refugees.

Despite budget cuts this year, he said the organization plans to continue implementing programs for returnees and vulnerable communities in various provinces and will seek to mobilize greater support from international donors for humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Hanif welcomed the NRC’s continued assistance and called for increased international engagement in development projects, job creation, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of Afghanistan’s frozen foreign assets.

He said expanding employment opportunities, vocational training, and support for vulnerable groups would help strengthen household economies and reduce reliance on humanitarian aid.

A senior Russian business representative has proposed the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and Afghanistan, arguing that the move would boost trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.

Rustam Khabibullin, head of the Russian Business Center in Afghanistan, announced the proposal ahead of the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026.

According to Khabibullin, relations between Moscow and Kabul have been expanding rapidly, making the simplification of travel procedures a logical next step for strengthening bilateral ties.

He pointed to several recent developments in Russia-Afghanistan relations, including the presentation of credentials by Afghanistan’s ambassador to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first meeting of a bilateral intergovernmental commission at the Russia-Islamic World Forum, and the signing of a military-technical cooperation agreement during an international security forum held under the auspices of Russia’s Security Council.

Khabibullin said the military-technical agreement includes plans to service and restore Russian-made equipment in Afghanistan. He noted that Afghanistan continues to operate a large number of Russian vehicles and aircraft, including Mi-17 helicopters and KamAZ trucks.

Under the agreement, service centers and spare-parts warehouses are expected to be restored in Afghanistan, while local specialists will receive technical training to support maintenance and repair work.

The Russian business official also highlighted the growing presence of Russian companies in Afghanistan’s energy and mining sectors, saying firms are already involved in oil production, refining and mineral extraction projects.

Khabibullin argued that a visa-free regime would significantly strengthen economic cooperation by making it easier for businesspeople, investors and tourists to travel between the two countries. He said such a move could help open new markets and create additional opportunities for trade and investment.

He further claimed that Russia maintains substantial influence in Afghanistan and said closer economic engagement would benefit both sides, particularly Russian regions such as Tatarstan, which hosts a number of major export-oriented companies.

The proposal comes as Russia and Afghanistan continue to deepen diplomatic and economic ties following Moscow’s formal recognition of the IEA-led government last year and the recent expansion of cooperation in trade, infrastructure and security sectors.