BISHKEK—Kyrgyzstan is actively seeking to enhance its trade and economic relations with Afghanistan, focusing on several key sectors, announced Akylbek Japarov, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan.

According to Trend News Agency, Japarov expressed Kyrgyzstan’s interest in various collaborative efforts with Afghanistan during his meeting with Noorullah Amin, the Acting Charge d’Affaires of Afghanistan to Kyrgyzstan. The areas of cooperation include improving transportation links, joint exploration of Afghan mineral resources, and partnerships in the fields of energy, industry, and agriculture. Japarov highlighted the commitment to advancing these promising projects as part of their bilateral relations.

In a related development, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently noted that Kyrgyzstan has removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations, though there has been no official confirmation from Kyrgyz authorities on this matter. Furthermore, trade statistics from the National Statistical Agency of Kyrgyzstan reveal a decline in bilateral trade, with figures dropping to $8.775 million in the first half of this year, a 33.6 percent decrease from the $13.212 million recorded from January through June 2023. Kyrgyz exports to Afghanistan accounted for $5.836 million of this total, while imports were valued at $2.938 million.