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.
Meanwhile, the caretaker government of Afghanistan a day after the handover of the Afghan embassy in Moscow to the Islamic Emirate’s envoy, said the move will strengthen diplomatic relations between the countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said the Afghan embassy in Moscow was handed over to the Islamic Emirate’s diplomat, adding that the Islamic Emirate thanks the Russian Federation for accrediting its representative.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate assert they have the right to lead Afghan embassies to interact with world accountably.
“The government’s envoy received credentials from Moscow. We thank Russia for this move and hope to provide consular services for our compatriots in that country,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
According to officials, Afghan diplomats have started missions in various countries including China, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and some Gulf and African countries.
“Accrediting a diplomat of the Islamic Emirate and … the handover of the embassy, shows ties between Russia and the Taliban,” said Norullah Raghi, a former Afghan diplomat.
Although diplomatic offices of over 10 countries are open in Kabul, no country has announced official recognition of the Islamic Emirate’s government in Afghanistan.—Tolonews
