Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, described his recent trip to Russia as productive.

He said that during the visit discussions were held with officials from the Russian Federation on key economic, political, transit, and investment matters.

He added, “We also discussed trade, transit, and customs issues with Russian deputy prime ministers.”

At the same time, Nooruddin Azizi, acting minister of industry and commerce, stated that agreements were reached between Afghanistan and Russia during this trip in several areas, including expanding trade and economic ties, transport and transit cooperation, removal of barriers to Afghan exports to Russia, banking issues, and trade using the national currencies of both countries.

He noted, “It was agreed that the barriers to Afghanistan’s exports would be removed. As you know, there are several challenges facing Afghanistan’s transit and trade, which we hope will be resolved. It was also agreed that trade between Afghanistan and Russia would proceed using each country’s local currency.”

Azizi also highlighted the significance of railway projects, especially the Trans-Afghan project, and noted that Russia has expressed willingness to cooperate in its construction.

He further reported that Russian companies are interested in investing in Afghanistan’s natural resources, particularly oil extraction.

The acting minister added, “Cooperation and interest in the Trans-Afghan railway project were among the key topics discussed during these meetings, exhibitions, and forums. Russia aims to invest in bridging the gap between the north and south via a railway line that passes through Afghanistan.”

In recent months, political and economic relations between Kabul and Moscow have expanded.

Previously, the Russian deputy prime minister stated that Russia had removed the Islamic Emirate from its list of banned organizations in an effort to strengthen bilateral political and economic ties.