- Afghanistan aims to increase trade with Central Asia to $10 billion within next few years.
- Initiative focuses on improving regional connectivity, infrastructure, and expanding trade routes with neighbouring Central Asian countries.
- Plan expected to strengthen economic growth, diversify partnerships, and position Afghanistan as key regional trade hub.
Afghanistan has announced an ambitious plan to significantly expand its trade with Central Asian countries, aiming to raise the total trade volume to $10 billion within the next three to four years.
The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during a regional consultative meeting held in Kabul, which brought together representatives from countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The parties involved in the discussions worked towards two main objectives, which included building stronger economic partnerships and creating better connections between regions and establishing new trade routes.
Current trade between Afghanistan and Central Asia reaches approximately $2.7 billion according to 2025 data, which shows ongoing trade development but falls short of the new target set by Afghanistan.
The initiative demonstrates Afghanistan's attempts to use its geographic location as a bridge between Central Asia and South and West Asia. Officials emphasized the importance of expanding transit networks and infrastructure to facilitate smoother movement of goods across borders.
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The discussion included key projects which involved the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline that served as a component of the broader plan to improve regional integration and economic partnerships.
Afghanistan seeks to establish itself as a major trade center through better connectivity systems and increased foreign investment.
The current global trade situation together with regional problems which include trade route disruptions and sanctions. Afghanistan is developing closer economic ties with its northern neighbours to create new trade routes which will decrease its dependence on existing trade corridors.
Officials predict that increased trade between Central Asian countries will create permanent economic growth and stability for their nations.
The plan demonstrates Afghanistan's strategic intention to expand its trade connections with neighbouring countries while creating new business possibilities.