Afghanistan is seeking a path out of international isolation through trade with Central Asia, and Kyrgyzstan is emerging as one of its key partners, Eurasiatoday.ru reports.
During a meeting between Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Nooruddin Azizi, and Kyrgyz Ambassador Turdakun Sydykov, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation. Topics included the participation of an Afghan delegation in the upcoming economic forum in Bishkek, the creation of a joint working group on trade, and the simplification of transit procedures - including within a trilateral format with Tajikistan.
Azizi emphasized that Kabul aims to use Kyrgyz transit corridors to access markets in Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as an alternative to routes through Pakistan.
In response, Sydykov noted Bishkek’s interest in the Afghan market, which has a population of 43 million, and expressed readiness to contribute to Afghanistan’s infrastructure reconstruction.
Despite sanctions pressure, Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asian countries has grown by 35% since 2021. Kyrgyzstan already exports flour, fuel, and electronics to Afghanistan. Future projects include power transmission lines, railways, and the TAPI gas pipeline initiative.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 1, 2025