A three-day business forum between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan will kick off tomorrow, Thursday, August 2, lasting until Saturday, August 5, in the capital city of Astana.

According to a statement from the Kazakh Foreign, around 150 businessmen from Afghanistan will attend from several economic sectors, including second-level banks. While on the Kazakh side, the Ministry of Trade and Integration, the company Kazakeksport, second-level banks, and logistics firms will also be attended.

Meanwhile, the forum will also feature an exhibition showcasing goods and products from Afghanistan. 

On July 31, Kazakh Foreign Minister Qanat Tumysh told reporters that no 150 Afghan government officials and businessmen were subject to sanctions.

The Kazakh Ministry of foreign affairs stressed that the two countries continue to strengthen their trade relations. Kazakhstan aims for vigorous years of bilateral trade with Afghanistan, surpassing the $988 million reached last year.

According to Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Kairat Torebayev, more than 200 delegations led by the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, Nooruddin Azizi, will attend the forum.

“They are representatives of business, large energy and telecommunications companies, representatives of the Central Bank and several private banks, manufacturers of carpets, beverages, precious stones and many others,” he said.

“I would like to note right away that all members of the Afghan delegation are not included in the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions lists and, accordingly, no restrictive measures can be applied to them,” added Torebayev.

The forum is the outcome of increased cooperation between the two parties following the visit to Kabul in April by Kazakhstan’s Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration.

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