Belarus has expressed readiness to expand economic cooperation with Afghanistan, including the transportation and import of petroleum products through direct agreements with Afghan government institutions and private-sector companies.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday that Deputy Minister Ahmadullah Zahid held talks with Belarusian Deputy Trade Minister Vlad Mirvoyevich Ryzhkovsky and senior officials from Belarus’ oil and investment sectors.

The discussions focused on boosting bilateral trade, expanding Afghanistan’s exports, importing petroleum products from Belarus, attracting investment and strengthening cooperation in the industrial and energy sectors.

The two sides also discussed closer engagement between private-sector businesses and the need to make effective use of the economic potential of both countries.

According to the ministry, officials stressed the importance of expanding trade relations, developing joint investment opportunities and creating practical mechanisms for broader economic cooperation.

The Belarusian delegation assured Afghan officials that it would take the necessary steps to establish direct cooperation and sign agreements with Afghan government institutions and private companies for the transportation and import of petroleum products.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan seeks to diversify its economic and trade partnerships, increase exports and attract greater foreign investment and cooperation from countries in the region and beyond.

Afghanistan and Kuwait have discussed expanding trade and investment cooperation during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kuwait, Mohammad Shafiq Khatib, and prominent Kuwaiti investor Ajeej Khalaf, along with a number of businessmen and investors.

The Afghan Embassy in Kuwait said the talks focused on Afghanistan’s security and stability, economic potential and available investment opportunities.

The sides stressed the importance of strengthening trade and economic ties and expanding investment cooperation between the two countries.

Khatib invited Kuwaiti businessmen and investors to visit Afghanistan, explore investment opportunities and consider investing in various sectors of the Afghan economy.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan seeks to attract more foreign investment and strengthen economic and commercial ties with regional and international partners.