A delegation from Afghanistan, led by Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Otaullah Omari, took part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), marking one of the first high-level appearances by Taliban officials at such a global platform since they assumed power in 2021, Eurasiatoday.ru reports.
The economic forum opened on June 18 in St. Petersburg, bringing together participants from 140 countries. Organizers expect around 20,000 guests to attend the event.
According to Mohammad Yunus Momand, a representative of Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Afghan side is seeking to revive long-standing friendly relations with Russia and build mutually beneficial trade partnerships.
Afghanistan has expressed interest in importing petroleum products, grain, and timber from Russia. In return, the country is prepared to offer food exports, joint ventures in mineral extraction, and opportunities for Russian companies to participate in infrastructure projects—particularly road construction.
Observers view the visit as part of a broader trend of increasing engagement between the Taliban and regional states. Countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have already intensified trade with Afghanistan despite political complexities. The annual trade turnover between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has reportedly reached $1 billion.
To support deeper economic ties, several Central Asian nations, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, have removed the Taliban from their national sanctions lists. In April 2025, Russia’s Supreme Court reviewed a case concerning the removal of the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organizations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
18 июня 2025 года