Afghanistan and Türkiye agree to form joint working group to boost trade and investment
Afghanistan and Türkiye have agreed to establish a joint working group aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment, the Islamic Emirate-run Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced on Thursday.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, and Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat on the sidelines of the 5th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Trade Ministers’ Summit.
According to the ministry’s statement, both sides acknowledged that although Afghanistan and Türkiye share significant trade potential, current trade levels remain far below expectations. They agreed that enhancing commercial ties should be a priority moving forward.
Azizi highlighted Afghanistan’s openness to increased Turkish investment, especially in energy, mining, and agriculture, sectors he described as vital to the country’s economic revival. He extended a formal invitation to Minister Bolat to visit Afghanistan and explore investment opportunities firsthand.
The statement also noted that Minister Bolat expressed interest in increasing Türkiye’s imports of Afghan products, including cotton, talc stone, and coal. Discussions also covered steps to improve transit and transportation routes to facilitate the smoother flow of Afghan goods into Turkish and global markets.
Both delegations agreed in principle to hold the first meeting of the newly formed joint working group soon, though an exact date has yet to be set.
Since the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in August 2021, Türkiye has maintained limited diplomatic engagement with Kabul, with cooperation largely centered on humanitarian assistance and economic coordination rather than political recognition.
The creation of a joint working group marks a noteworthy step in strengthening bilateral economic ties and may signal broader cooperation in the coming months. (ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
HÜDA PAR Spokesperson Yunus Emiroğlu delivered a sharp critique of Türkiye’s economic and social policies during a press conference on Thursday, calling for a morally grounded minimum wage, an end to the crushing debt-interest cycle, stronger protection of the traditional family, and urgent action on food security.
Pope Leo XIV, the Head of the State of Vatican City, was officially welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Thursday.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will travel to Germany on Friday for his first official bilateral visit to Berlin, following an invitation from German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, as diplomatic engagement between Ankara and Berlin continues to gain momentum.