Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Haji Nooruddin Azizi opened the annual Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum in Kabul, Qazinform News Agencyreports, citing the Government of Kazakhstan.
More than 50 Kazakh companies participated in the forum, representing the agro-industrial sector, technology, engineering, chemical industry, and IT sector, along with representatives of the public and quasi-public sectors.
According to the government, bilateral trade reached 541.8 million US dollars by the end of 2025. As part of efforts to further strengthen trade and economic relations, the two countries aim to increase trade turnover to 3 billion US dollars in the near future.
Kazakhstan views Afghanistan as a strategic partner and a key logistics hub for the South and Central Asian region. Current cooperation plans include expanding the range of traded goods, creating favorable conditions for investment, removing logistical and certification barriers, and promoting direct business ties and e-commerce platforms.
“On our part, we are ready to provide Afghan partners with competitive supply terms for grain, flour, oilseeds, construction materials, medicines, industrial equipment, and other in-demand products. At the same time, Kazakhstan is interested not only in exports but also in establishing joint production facilities in Afghanistan, particularly in the food industry, agricultural processing, and textiles, Zhumangarin said.
Business representatives noted that such forums have a significant marketing impact. According to them, participation alongside official delegations increases trust among foreign partners and helps strengthen business ties.
“We first took part in a business forum at this venue in 2023. Since then, sunflower oil shipments have steadily increased. In the 2022-2023 season, exports totaled 17,000 tons. In the current season, they have reached 75,000 tons. Over three seasons, we have increased supply volumes by more than four times. Our goal for the next season is to raise sunflower oil exports to 110,000-120,000 tons, said Yadykar Ibragimov, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Association of the Oil and Fat Industry.
During the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum, Zhumangarin presented the Afghan side with a unique innovation developed by the Kazakh company BARK Technology - the BARK VibroLUNG pulmonary vibroacoustic therapy device.
“The device is designed to improve respiratory function and clear airways through vibroacoustic stimulation. The technology can be effectively used in comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of patients with respiratory diseases, helping improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare,” the statement said.
In addition, the forum showcased a mobile diagnostic complex equipped with the HES-7 system, produced by the Kazakh company Konsung Technology LLP. Using artificial intelligence, the HES-7 system enables ECG and functional diagnostics, detects diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, blood, and lungs, diagnoses diabetes, performs rapid laboratory tests, and facilitates prompt treatment decisions.
Following the business forum, the sides are expected to sign an agreement for the delivery of 4,500 units of this mobile equipment to Afghanistan, worth 45 million US dollars.