The events were held in the city of Herat with the participation of official and business delegations headed by Yerkіn Tukumov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Afghanistan.

As part of the visit, Y. Tukumov met with Nur Ahmad Islamjar, Governor of Afghanistan’s western Herat Province. The sides discussed the current state and prospects of trade, economic and interregional cooperation, exchanged information on the potential of the regions and opportunities for expanding direct engagement between business communities.

Particular attention was paid to the development of the “West2West” format, aimed at establishing direct links between the western regions of Kazakhstan and Afghanistan in the areas of trade, industrial cooperation, transport and logistics.

The representatives of Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan,  akimats of Mangystau and West Kazakhstan regions, as well as business communities from both countries participated in the trade and economic component of the events.

As part of the visit, the business forum “Kazakhstan – Afghanistan: Interregional Cooperation” was held. The participants discussed practical issues related to expanding mutual trade, establishing direct contacts between entrepreneurs, developing industrial cooperation and strengthening transport and logistics links. The Afghan side presented an exhibition of industrial goods, agricultural products and foodstuffs.

A ceremony was also held to officially open the third section of the “Khaf–Herat” railway, in the construction of which the Kazakh company Integra Construction KZ LLP participated.

The events in Herat represented a practical stage in the development of the “West2West” format and a continuation of efforts to expand Kazakhstan–Afghanistan cooperation. The sides confirmed their mutual interest in continuing direct dialogue and working out in practical terms the areas of cooperation discussed.

In January–July 2026, trade turnover amounted to USD 581.1 million, increasing 2.4-fold. Kazakhstan’s exports amounted to USD 572.9 million, including USD 215.6 million worth of flour, USD 122 million worth of wheat and USD 51.1 million worth of vegetable oil. Imports from Afghanistan amounted to USD 8.2 million, indicating significant potential for increasing supplies of Afghan products, including dried fruits, saffron, grapes, carpets and other goods.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1300753?lang=ru