Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin held meetings with the Governor of Kunduz Province Maulavi Nasrullah Mati and the Governor of Herat Province Noor Ahmad Islamjar.

As Serik Zhumangarin noted, Herat and Kunduz are provinces with which Kazakhstan maintains the closest trade and economic ties.

During the discussion with the Governor of Herat, issues of developing transport and logistics cooperation and expanding mutual trade were discussed. Serik Zhumangarin recalled that last year Kazakhstan put forward an initiative to build the Turgundi–Herat railway. In addition, construction of the Khaf–Herat railway line is nearing completion, in which the Kazakh side is also participating.

To increase mutual trade turnover, the Kazakh side proposed expanding supplies of Afghan fruits and vegetables to the Kazakh market. In turn, Kazakhstan is ready to increase flour exports to Herat Province. With the assistance of the Kazakhstan Trade House in Herat, two contracts for the supply of Kazakh flour were concluded in April and May of this year between JSC “Food Contract Corporation” and private Afghan companies.

“We consider Herat as one of the key hubs for promoting Kazakhstani products to the Afghan market. Of particular interest to the Kazakh side is the development of supplies of grain and flour, vegetable oil, construction materials, metallurgical products, agricultural machinery, chemical products and fertilizers, as well as deep-processed goods,” Serik Zhumangarin noted.

During the meeting, the Governor of Herat emphasized the importance of further developing transport infrastructure and creating seamless logistics for the export of Afghan products through the territory of Kazakhstan, including via the port of Aktau. According to him, the development of trade routes through Herat will contribute to the economic growth not only of the province but also of other regions of Afghanistan.

At the meeting with the Governor of Kunduz, prospects for implementing joint investment projects were discussed. The head of the province raised the issue of possible participation by the Kazakh side in the construction of a cement plant in Kunduz, noting the presence of the necessary raw material base in the region. In addition, investors from the province are interested in cooperating with Kazakh businesses on the import of flour and sunflower oil. The need to expand refrigeration capacities in the region for the storage and export of fruits and vegetables was also noted.

Special attention was paid to the development of the agro-industrial complex. According to the Governor, Kunduz is one of the largest agricultural regions of Afghanistan and is interested in establishing a mineral fertilizer production enterprise. Investors from the province are ready to implement such projects jointly with Kazakh partners.

For reference: Herat Province is the most important trade and logistics hub in western Afghanistan. The region provides access for Afghan goods to the markets of Iran, the Persian Gulf countries, and Central Asia. The Kazakhstan Trade House operates in Herat, which is considered one of the key tools for expanding bilateral trade and promoting Kazakhstani products to the Afghan market.

The administrative center of the province is Herat, one of the largest and most economically developed cities in the country. The population of the province is about 2–2.2 million people. Over 200 industrial enterprises operate in the region, including those producing construction materials and solar panels. Herat is also a center of traditional carpet weaving and saffron production — one of Afghanistan’s important export goods.

Kunduz Province is located in northeastern Afghanistan and is considered one of the most fertile regions of the country. The economy is based on agriculture. Wheat, rice, cotton, corn, barley, legumes, sesame, vegetables, and fruits are grown here. Cotton production plays a significant role and has traditionally been one of the region’s main export crops. Livestock farming and agricultural processing are also developed. The export potential of the province is primarily associated with supplies of cotton and textile products, grain crops, fruits, vegetables, and livestock products.

#Economy #International Cooperation #Serik Zhumangarin #Trade and economic cooperation

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