Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin held negotiations in Kabul with the leadership of Afghanistan. The parties discussed trade, transport, investment, and projects in the mining and metallurgical complex. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Zhumangarin met with Afghan Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund and Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar. According to the Kazakh side, the talks covered a wide range of issues – from humanitarian cooperation to major infrastructure projects.
The Afghan side thanked Kazakhstan for humanitarian aid and support for educational programs, including grants for students and training of specialists.
A separate block of negotiations was devoted to the mining and metallurgical sector. Kazakhstan proposed expanding cooperation in raw material processing and participation in Afghan deposits.
Zhumangarin noted that Kazakhstan has competencies in processing non-ferrous, ferrous, and rare metals, and is also considering participation in projects for developing deposits in Afghanistan. In particular, the issue of supplying mineral raw materials for subsequent processing in Kazakhstan was discussed.
Earlier, specialists from Tau-Ken Samruk visited Bamyan province and took samples at the Pami-Kakrak zinc deposit. Analyses conducted by Kazcink confirmed the possibility of processing the ore at Kazakh enterprises.
The Kazakh side stated its interest in supplying zinc ore from Afghanistan and readiness to provide technological support, engineering, and modernization of production.
The participation of Eurasian Resources Group in exploration and development of chromium deposits was also discussed.
At the meeting with Abdul Ghani Baradar, the parties separately considered the development of transport infrastructure and logistics.
Kazakhstan reported the completion of the construction of the Khaf–Herat railway section and confirmed its interest in participating in new projects on the territory of Afghanistan.
Zhumangarin supported the development of the trans-Afghan corridor Central Asia – South Asia (CASA), which could ensure the transportation of up to 10 million tons of cargo towards the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan. Also discussed was Kazakhstan's participation together with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the construction of railways through Mazar-i-Sharif and Turghundi to Herat.
The parties agreed to expand mutual trade. Afghan agricultural products may begin to be supplied to large Kazakh retail chains Small and Magnum Cash & Carry.
This concerns the supply of fruits and vegetables – pomegranates, grapes, apricots, plums, watermelons, melons, early vegetables, and nuts.
Kazakhstan, in turn, reported an increase in flour exports to Afghanistan, including to the city of Herat.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that about 2 tons of medicines were sent from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan as humanitarian aid.