The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) signed an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation to pave the way for imports of food material and fuel.  

The acting head of ACCI, Mohammad Younus Momand, paid a visit to St Petersburg in Russia to discuss the biliteral trade ties between Kabul and Moscow.  

“There is a need to have an agreement between the government so Russia can provide us with two things which we need: fuel and food materials,” he said.  

“Everyone can invest in Afghanistan for transit. The transit of Afghanistan can go from South Asia and Central Asia,” he added.  

According to Momand, Moscow pledged to facilitate visa-processing for the Afghan traders.  

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (ACAL) said that the Russia has a good market for Afghan products.  

“Russia is a good market, especially if we have transit and export. We can export rice, potatos and onions if the government allows us,” said Mirwais Hajizada, deputy head of the ACAL.   

The economist said that if the trade ties between Russia and Afghanistan is managed well, it will benefit Afghanistan.  

“The reopening of markets of Afghanistan for the Russian products and the reopening of Russian markets for Afghan exports, will improve the economy of Afghanistan if it is managed well,” said Darya Khan, an economist.  

Based on numbers from the ACCI, Afghanistan exports to Russia have been estimated at more than $4 million in 2021, but this year exports reached over $78 million.