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IEA says Afghanistan needs to regain its WTO membership
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi in a meeting with Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has demanded the revocation of the suspension of Afghanistan’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The ministry’s spokesman Abdulsalam Javad Akhundzadeh said that both sides also discussed supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, increasing exports and providing facilities for women entrepreneurs.
IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, however, said that trade and transit are a humanitarian matter and should not be related to political issues.
Mujahid stated that the IEA has increased its efforts to expand economic and trade relations.
“Yes, we want Afghanistan to regain its membership and it is a need. Trade is a humanitarian issue and it should not be tied to political matters,” he added.
According to economic experts, regaining membership in the WTO would be effective in expanding Afghanistan’s trade with various Asian and European countries and others such as the USA, and it will also increase work opportunities.
Afghanistan officially became the 164th member of the WTO in December 2015, but currently does not have a representative in this organization.
WTO is an international organization that regulates global trade rules and settles disputes between members.
The main objective of this organization is to create facilities for the export and import of goods and services between the member countries by removing the barriers of customs tariffs.
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Kyrgyzstan, European Union discuss infrastructure and investment priorities
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic announced that on 6 February 2026, the 7th meeting of the Subcommittee on the Development of Cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Union was held in Bishkek.
The Kyrgyz delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Meder Abakirov, while the European Union delegation was headed by Charlotte Adrien, Head of the Central Asia and Afghanistan Division at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Commission.
With participation from representatives of various Kyrgyz ministries and agencies, the meeting focused on infrastructure and investment priorities, as well as progress in implementing key EU–Kyrgyz cooperation instruments.
Deputy Minister Abakirov, alongside government representatives, briefed the EU delegation on achievements in ongoing programs and projects, presented new proposals, and outlined future prospects for regional cooperation with the European Union.
Charlotte Adrien highlighted positive developments under the Global Gateway initiative, particularly the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Investment Bank in the energy sector.
Both sides exchanged views on key issues of bilateral and regional cooperation and identified priority areas to further strengthen and improve the effectiveness of joint efforts in areas of mutual interest.
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Traffic accident in Badakhshan leaves 12 dead, 3 injured
Ehsanullah Kamgar, spokesperson for the Badakhshan Provincial Police Command, said that 12 people were killed and three others were seriously injured in a traffic accident in Arghanjkhwah district of the province.
Kamgar added that the incident occurred at noon on Saturday in the Samdar area of Arghanjkhwah district.
According to him, the victims include men, women and children.
He explained that the incident happened when a Flancoach -type vehicle veered off the road due to poor road conditions and plunged into a ravine.
The injured were transferred to health centers for treatment, and the condition of some of them has been reported as critical.
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Afghanistan to grant one- to ten-year residency to foreign investors
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has approved a plan to grant foreign investors residency permits ranging from one to ten years in exchange for investment in the country.
The decision was endorsed during a regular meeting of the Economic Commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
According to a statement from the deputy PM’s office, a designated committee has been tasked with determining the length of residency based on the volume of investment, which will be categorized under specific criteria.
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