Kabul and Minsk Agree to Expand Economic and Trade Cooperation

DID Press: Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to expand economic and trade cooperation during the second meeting of their Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Minsk.

The meeting was co-chaired by Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Agriculture Minister, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, and Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Yury Gorlov.

The two sides discussed expanding trade and investment, agricultural and livestock cooperation, technology transfer, the import and assembly of agricultural machinery, chemical fertilizer production, food and dairy processing, and the establishment of joint manufacturing plants.

They also explored opportunities for Belarusian companies to invest in Afghanistan’s mining and oil sectors, increase Afghan exports to Belarus, organize joint trade exhibitions, train Afghan specialists, and establish banking mechanisms to facilitate money transfers and investment.

In the agricultural sector, officials discussed cooperation on improving the breeding of beef and dairy cattle, producing veterinary medicines and vaccines, dairy processing, and training technical personnel.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish a joint working group led by deputy ministers from both countries to follow up on and implement the agreements reached.

The meeting was described as a step toward expanding economic, trade and investment ties between Afghanistan and Belarus.