Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, at the head of a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate attending the 16th Kazan International Economic Forum, traveled to Tatarstan this morning (Wednesday, May 14).

According to Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will also hold official meetings with senior officials from participating countries on the sidelines of the forum.

The deputy spokesman said: “The Kazan Forum plays an important role among OIC member states in terms of economic cooperation and expanding multilateral relations. The high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate will also participate in another economic meeting between Afghanistan and Russia regarding trade and economic cooperation.”

Some economic experts said such meetings are valuable for expanding Afghanistan’s political and economic relations with regional countries, including Russia.

Abdul Nasir Reshtia, an economic affairs analyst, stated: “Such meetings contribute to strengthening strategic economic and political relations between Afghanistan and regional countries, and the stronger these relations become, the more they can facilitate trade for Afghanistan.”

Mir Shakir Yaqubi, an economic expert, said: “Participation in such meetings, especially the Kazan forum, can further solidify Afghanistan’s position in regional and global interactions and highlight Afghanistan’s significance in international forums and its presence on global platforms.”

The Republic of Tatarstan has replaced the former three-colored Afghan flag with the white flag of the caretaker Afghan government at this year's Kazan forum.

The Kazan Forum is an international economic gathering hosted annually by Russia, aimed at fostering trade and economic relations among many Asian countries, especially member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.