The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, convened a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Oleg Korobchenko, who arrived in Kabul on an official visit at the head of a high-level delegation.
The meeting, held at the Arg Palace, was also attended by the Acting Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nooruddin Azizi, along with several other officials of the Islamic Emirate. The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs welcomed the delegation and remarked: “I am pleased that we meet at a time when diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and the Russian Federation have entered a new phase.”
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs expressed his appreciation to the Russian Federation for its recognition of the Islamic Emirate and stated: “The recognition of the Islamic Emirate by the Russian Federation has opened the door for other regional and global countries to follow. Your visit will play a constructive role in expanding economic cooperation and joint trade between Kabul and Kazan.”
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund declared: “We seek to establish broad economic and trade relations with all republics of the Russian Federation, including Tatarstan. The Islamic Emirate, through its neutral, balanced, and economy-focused policies, is striving to attract foreign investment in various sectors and has opened its doors to all countries wishing to invest in Afghanistan.”
Referring to the prevailing national security and favorable investment climate, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs stated: “The Republic of Tatarstan can take advantage of this opportunity to invest in the extraction of oil and gas and the establishment of refineries in Afghanistan.”
Mr. Oleg Korobchenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan, expressed his satisfaction with the visit to Afghanistan and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President of Tatarstan to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
He noted: “Following the recognition of the Islamic Emirate by the Russian Federation, I am the first representative of the Russian Federation to visit Afghanistan on an official trip. I am accompanied by representatives and heads of many industrial companies who will hold meetings with officials of various Emirate departments.”
Mr. Korobchenko added: “Although there has been trade between Tatarstan and Afghanistan over the past three years, I hope that in the future the economic and trade relations between the two countries will further expand across various fields.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan stated that Tatarstani companies, including those involved in KAMAZ truck manufacturing, electricity and energy production, and pipeline construction, are prepared to invest and collaborate in the extraction of oil and gas, electricity generation, water supply, transportation vehicle production, and other sectors in Afghanistan.
He further affirmed that his country is ready to provide educational opportunities to Afghan students in the field of oil and gas evaluation and that Tatarstan is interested in cooperating with Afghan traders and investors to strengthen regional connectivity and trade levels.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, and extended an official invitation for a visit to Afghanistan.
