Alexei Overchuk participates in the first Russia-Afghanistan business forum
Alexei Overchuk participates in the first Russia-Afghanistan business forum
Alexei Overchuk participates in the first Russia-Afghanistan business forum
Russia and Afghanistan are committed to developing bilateral cooperation across all areas, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said at the first Russia-Afghanistan business forum that was held as part of the 16th International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum 2025.” The Afghan delegation was led by Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar.
During a meeting that brought together government officials and business representatives from both countries, the participants discussed priority areas for cooperation, pressing issues, and plans to expand trade, region-to-region cooperation, and joint projects in agriculture, energy, transport, and mineral extraction.
“The main goal of this event is to convey to businesses in both countries that conditions for full-scale trade and cooperation across various sectors of the economy are being formed,” Alexei Overchuk said.
Forum participants noted the significant potential for growth in trade between Russia and Afghanistan. In addition to exports of energy resources and foods, opportunities for the supply of Russian manufactured goods were highlighted. In turn, Afghanistan offers substantial potential for exports of fruit and vegetables, textiles, and mineral resources.
Promising areas of cooperation identified by forum participants included energy projects to build and upgrade thermal power plants and small hydropower plants, as well as transport engineering (semi knocked down vehicle assembly, locomotive and rolling stock supply, transport infrastructure, and the mining industry.
Looking back at 2024, both sides reported positive dynamics in Russia-Afghanistan trade in agricultural products, up 13 percent. Agricultural cooperation, collaboration in science and technology, including in land reclamation and agricultural education, shows strong potential.
The development of Afghanistan’s transport infrastructure and the realisation of the country’s transit potential due to its favourable geographic location were highlighted.
Work on the Trans-Afghan Railway project, which could become part of the international North-South transport corridor connecting Russia and CIS countries with the Global South which is home to the world’s emerging economic growth centres was highlighted.
“The time has come for peaceful development in Afghanistan, the establishment of neighbourly relations, and the reinforcement of economic connectivity across Eurasia. In a world moving towards multipolarity, there is a growing need to identify new points of balance for building balanced international economic relations,” Alexei Overchuk said, adding that the Russian Federation is promoting the concept of a Greater Eurasian Partnership.
The Deputy Prime Minister also informed forum participants about ongoing efforts in this area as part of the Eurasian Economic Union. Notably, as of May 15, 2025, a free trade agreement between the EAEU and the Islamic Republic of Iran came into force paving the way for creating a large common market.
“A special place in Greater Eurasia belongs to neighbouring Afghanistan, whose government-for the first time in 40 years-has united the entire country and is striving to advance its economy. The time for creation has come,” Alexei Overchuk said in closing.
