ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 3. The Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum held in Astana has resulted in the signing of export contracts valued at around $190.8 million, Trend reports.
According to the country's Ministry of Trade and Integration, 15 contracts were successfully concluded during the forum, encompassing the supply of agricultural products, flour, and vegetable oil. Additionally, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the National Association of Oilseed Processors (Kazakhstan) and the Balh Oil Dealers Union (Afghanistan).
Afghanistan stands among the top five largest importers of Kazakh vegetable oil, a testament reaffirmed by the agreements achieved at the forum.
In the first half of the current year, trade between the two countries reached $343.6 million, with $334.5 million accounted for by Kazakhstan's exports.
Last year this figure stood at almost $1 billion, while this year the countries plan to boost the mutual trade turnover to $3 billion.
On August 3, 2023, the first Kazakh-Afghan business forum is being held in Astana, and on August 4–5, an exhibition of Afghan goods will take place.