Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce under the Islamic Emirate have stated that trade between Afghanistan and Russia totaled $174 million in the first eight months of the current solar year.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, said that of this amount, only $2 million was from Afghanistan’s exports to Russia. He further explained that Afghanistan’s exports to Russia included raisins, minerals, dried figs, and onions, while wheat, natural gas, and various types of oil were the main imports from Russia.
“Two million dollars is related to Afghanistan’s exports, and $172 million pertains to imports. The export items include raisins, minerals, dried figs, and onions, while the imports primarily consist of oil, natural gas, wheat, and some other goods.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Manan Omari, the de-facto Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, met on Wednesday, with Dmitry Zhirnov, the Russian ambassador to Kabul, and a delegation led by Nikolai Sazhnov, the Russian economic and trade advisor in Afghanistan’s capital.
During the meeting, Omari called for the creation of suitable markets for Afghan agricultural products in Russia.
Samiullah Ebrahimi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, added that the de-facto minister Omari also proposed sending Afghan workers to Russia. He said, “The Islamic Emirate has established economic and trade ties with several countries, and by ensuring nationwide security, it has created opportunities for both domestic and foreign investors to invest in the country.”
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Russian ambassador in Kabul expressed support for encouraging Russian investors to invest in Afghanistan and pledged to offer facilities to Afghan traders as well.
Russia has maintained close diplomatic ties with the Islamic Emirate and has taken steps toward removing the group from its list of banned organizations.
Some political analysts believe that the Islamic Emirate can benefit economically from its growing political ties with Russia.
Sayed Akbar Siyal, a political analyst, said: “Relations with neighboring countries, especially Russia, are better than with others; these relations will be effective in trade, economy, and politics.”
Over the past three years, Russia has developed good bilateral relations with the Islamic Emirate and has repeatedly supported the group at international forums.
