Afghanistan, Turkmenistan Discuss Strengthening Trade, Investment Relations

A delegation from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment has traveled to Turkmenistan to explore ways of expanding economic, trade, and transit cooperation between the two countries.

Members of the delegation held meetings with officials from the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Afghan Embassy, and the country’s railway and transit authorities.

During the meetings, Afghanistan’s trade and investment potential was presented, and a proposal was made to establish a new transit route from Charjow (Türkmenabat) in Turkmenistan to northern Afghanistan and Mazar-e-Sharif.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, Director of Public Relations at the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Our goal is to create opportunities for cooperation not only with Turkmenistan but also with other countries—those that need Afghan goods or whose markets we need access to—so that we can connect Afghanistan’s private sector with the private sectors of these countries.”

The chamber has also invited Turkmenistan to send a delegation of 100 traders and investors to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the proposal and announced its readiness to dispatch a business delegation and expand economic cooperation.

Economic analyst Mohammad Nabi Afghan highlighted the importance of ties with Turkmenistan, saying: “Relations with Turkmenistan are highly beneficial for us. Afghanistan can meet its oil and gas needs through this country. Given the current regional situation and ongoing conflicts, Turkmenistan can play an important role in supplying Afghanistan’s energy needs.”

Another economic analyst, Qutbuddin Yaqubi, added: “Taking advantage of its strategic location and the Aqina and Torghundi border crossings, Turkmenistan has maintained strong trade relations with Afghanistan. Such visits can help further strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries.”

In recent years, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have intensified efforts to strengthen economic ties, increase trade, expand transit cooperation, and capitalize on shared opportunities in the energy and investment sectors.