The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, conducted negotiations in Kabul with the Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Mohammad Hasan Akhund, and Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar during his official visit. The parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning humanitarian, trade, economic, and investment cooperation.

The meeting between Serik Zhumangarin and the Prime Minister of Afghanistan marked the first such encounter in the last four years of actively developing humanitarian and business ties between the two nations. Mohammad Hasan Akhund warmly welcomed the Kazakhstani delegation and expressed his gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan for the consistent support provided to the Afghan people.

In addition to regular deliveries of humanitarian aid, Kazakhstan assists Afghanistan in human resource development. This support includes providing educational grants for Afghan students to study at Kazakhstani universities, offering medical assistance to the population, and organizing professional development programs for local specialists.

Particular attention during the talks was paid to the prospects of cooperation in the mining and metallurgical complex. Kazakhstan holds a key position in the mining and metallurgical sector of Central Asia as an industrial and technological hub, possessing deep expertise in processing non-ferrous, ferrous, rare, and precious metals. The country is one of the top three nations globally with the technological capacity to process technical aquamarine. In this regard, Kazakhstani companies are expressing strong interest in developing mineral deposits and implementing industrial projects in Afghanistan. Specifically, during the meeting with the Afghan Deputy Prime Minister, the Kazakhstani side raised the issue of resolving logistics for exporting this mineral from Afghanistan for subsequent processing in Kazakhstan.

Furthermore, in October of last year, specialists from the Tau-Ken Samruk company visited the Bamyan province, where they collected samples at the Pami-Kakrak zinc deposit. Subsequent chemical analysis performed by Kazzinc specialists confirmed the fundamental viability of processing this ore at Kazakhstani enterprises.

"We are interested in the supply of zinc ore from Afghanistan. Kazakhstani enterprises possess the necessary competencies in technological modernization, engineering, equipment supply, and commissioning support," Serik Zhumangarin emphasized.

Another distinct area of cooperation will involve the participation of Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) in the exploration and development of chromium deposits. Possessing the world's largest resource base of chromium ore and being a global leader in ferrochrome production, ERG is considering applying its experience, industry expertise, and technological solutions within the framework of the reached agreements.

During the meeting with Abdul Ghani Baradar, the parties held detailed discussions on transport and logistics cooperation. It was noted that Kazakhstan is finalizing the construction of the Khaf to Herat railway section and is interested in further participation in infrastructure projects across Afghanistan.

"We support the implementation of the Trans-Afghan transport corridor Central Asia to South Asia (CASA), which is capable of transporting up to 10 million tons of cargo toward the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar. Furthermore, we are ready to participate jointly with Uzbek and Turkmen partners in the construction of railways through Mazar-i-Sharif and Torghundi to Herat," Serik Zhumangarin stated.

The expansion of bilateral trade was also a key topic of the negotiations. The parties confirmed agreements on the supply of Afghan agricultural products to the largest retail networks in Kazakhstan, specifically Small and Magnum. Kazakhstan is the first country in the region to offer Afghanistan a practical mechanism for product promotion through national retail chains. This initiative primarily involves the supply of pomegranates, grapes, apricots, plums, watermelons, melons, early vegetables, and nuts.

Additionally, the Kazakhstani side provided information on increasing flour supplies to Afghanistan, particularly to the city of Herat.

Following the negotiations, the parties reviewed the existing barriers that hinder the implementation of the reached agreements, particularly in the financial sector regarding mutual settlements, and developed concrete measures to eliminate them. Both sides confirmed their mutual interest in further expanding cooperation in trade, transport, industry, telecommunications, and humanitarian interaction.