Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to create a joint venture between the railway authorities of the two countries. It will serve two major purposes: Bolster the railway cargo capacity along the China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan route Work together to build the Trans-Afghan railway line that will connect the Uzbek (and Kazakh) railway systems through a railway line traversing […]
Peace in Afghanistan – to value it or to squander it?
Tariq Saeedi It is the first time in more than 45 years that there is peace in Afghanistan. It is also in that long that there are no foreign troops in Afghanistan. The peace has come at a very heavy price. According to US Institute of Peace: Expenses by the US government – $2.3 trillion […]
Amudarya canal could harm Afghanistan – region has solutions
nCa Analysis “Do not waste water, even if you are on a running river.” – Hadith of Holy Prophet (PBUH) “A drop of water, a grain of gold.” – Turkmen proverb The Taliban in Afghanistan is building an enormous canal to draw water from the Amudarya. It is their right to consume water from the […]
Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and Austria discussed the current situation in Afghanistan
On 11 March 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna. The Austrian Foreign Ministry’s press release notes: “The situation in Afghanistan, especially with regard to the fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal migration, was the focus of today’s […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan held a meeting on the Nur ul-Jihad substation project
On Sunday, 10 March 2024, the leadership of the Afghan electric power company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat met with the head of the Department of International Electric Power Projects in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan direction of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, Myrat Artykov and representatives of the Embassy of Turkmenistan. According to DABS, the meeting was […]
UNRCCA Launches 2024 Preventive Diplomacy Academy for the New Cohort of Young Leaders from Central Asia and Afghanistan
On March 5, the first session was held for students of the UNRCCA (UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia) Preventive Diplomacy Academy from the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan in online format. As a result of the competition, forty-eight participants aged 19 to 29 were selected among university students and graduates […]
Turkmenistan foreign office press release on recent Afghan visit and trans-boundary issues
One of the main directions of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy is the further development and strengthening of comprehensive relations with neighboring states. As previously reported, during the period from March 4 to 6 of this year, a representative delegation of Afghanistan led by the Acting Minister of Industry and Trade Alhaj Nuruddin Azizi visited Turkmenistan to […]
Afghanistan is self-sufficient in steel production
nCa Report Afghanistan, while dependent on imports for a lot of things, has attained self-sufficiency in the steel industry, mainly in the metallic construction materials. There are currently 42 steel mills in Afghanistan, representing an investment of about USD 500 million in the industry. All of the raw material required for production is available in […]
Banking sector in Afghanistan thrives despite restrictions, keeps economy in motion
nCa Report The banking sector in Afghanistan is thriving despite the restrictions, and keeps the economy in motion. Some of the banks of Afghanistan are participating in the single-country exhibition, taking place in Ashgabat, 4-6 March 2024: AIB (Afghanistan International Bank) Azizi Bank Afghan United Bank Ghazanfar Bank Khanullah Yousafzai, the Chief Operating Officer, and […]
Turkmen Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange hosted successful trading session on the sidelines of Afghanistan expo in Ashgabat
On 5 March 2024, on the sidelines of the exhibition of Afghan goods, the mobile stock exchange of the State Commodity Exchange of Turkmenistan was held in Ashgabat. 71 transactions were finalized during the session, generating significant economic activity. The total value of the concluded transactions surpassed US $ 107 million and Turkmen Manat 33 […]
TAPI Gas Pipeline, Power Lines, and Transport Infrastructure on the Agenda in Turkmenistan-Afghanistan Talks
On March 5, 2024, a meeting was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the delegation that arrived in Turkmenistan, headed by the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan Alhaj Nuruddin Azizi. During the negotiations, a wide range of issues related to the expansion of bilateral trade and […]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov visited an exhibition of Afghan goods – met with Afghanistan minister for commerce and industry – Ahmet Calik attended the meeting
On 4 March 2024, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the exhibition of Afghan goods that started in Ashgabat and held a business meeting dedicated to the issues of integrated development of interstate cooperation, TDH reports. Berdimuhamedov began his visit by exploring the stand […]
Turkmenistan hosts single-country exhibition of Afghanistan, joint Turkmen-Afghan business forum – several side events held
nCa Report The 3-day exhibition of the goods and services of Afghanistan started on 4 March 2024 in Ashgabat. The joint Turkmen-Afghan business forum and several side events were also held. This is a landmark mega-event for the business community of Afghanistan. The acting minister for commerce and industry of Afghanistan, Noor Uddin Azizi, is […]
Turkmenistan will build grain elevator at border with Afghanistan, other plans include construction of cargo handling facility, and railway line to Herat
The senior officials from Turkmenistan had a meeting with the Afghan delegation visiting Turkmenistan for the exhibition and the joint Turkmen-Business forum. The meeting took place on 4 March 2024. The sides exchanged notes on the progress on the joint projects and initiatives. The Turkmen side informed that there were plans for a project for […]
Afghan delegation visited the Port of Turkmenbashi
On 3 March 2024, a delegation led by Afghanistan’s minister for commerce and industry, Noor Uddin Azizi, toured the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi, according to the Agency for Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan “Turkmendenizderyayollary.” The visit showcased the capabilities of the port and its terminals, highlighting the benefits of the “customs storage” regime for […]
Afghan minister, addressing forum in Ashgabat assures that under-construction canal from Amudarya River will not impact Turkmenistan
nCa Report The minister for commerce and industry of Afghanistan, Noor Uddin Azizi, addressed the joint Turkmen-Afghan business forum in Ashgabat on 4 March 2024. In his remarks, he assured that the canal the Taliban are building to draw water from the Amudarya River, will not impact the interests of Turkmenistan. Here are the main […]
Single country exhibition of Afghanistan and joint Turkmen-Afghan business forum starts in Ashgabat
A single-country exhibition of the goods and services of Afghanistan and the joint Turkmen-Afghan business forum started on 4 March 2024 in Ashgabat. There is high level participation from both sides in the event. The Afghan delegation is led by the minister for commerce and industry Noor Uddin Azizi. The Afghan delegation consists of about […]
Central Asia is in pragmatic interaction with Afghanistan – Is the time now for world to recognize Taliban?
Tariq Saeedi In Central Asia, there is the unanimity among the regional countries to remain engaged with Afghanistan pragmatically. There are many reasons for it. Over a period of time, we talked to several diplomats and other officials from the regional countries. There were two questions we asked, though phrased differently each time: 1. Why […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed TAPI project and LPG supplies
On 28 February 2024, acting foreign minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Batyr Amanov, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan responsible for oil and gas sector. During meeting, the two sides held comprehensive discussions on TAPI and supply of LPG to Afghanistan, according to MFA Afghanistan. Muttaqi said that following the visit of Turkmen […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed cooperation in the transport sector
On 27 February 2024, the Afghanistan delegation headed by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Mammetkhan Chakiyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, as part of a working visit to Turkmenistan, the Afghan Foreign Ministry reports. The meeting explored the prospects of expanding […]
Ashgabat to host an exhibition of Afghan goods and a Turkmen-Afghan business forum
An exhibition of Afghan goods and a Turkmen-Afghan business forum will be held in Ashgabat on 3-5 March 2024. The President of Turkmenistan signed a corresponding Decree, ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs to hold the above-mentioned events at a high organizational […]
Transport, Electricity and TAPI under the spotlight of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan talks in Ashgabat – Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry issued press release on Meredov and Muttaqi meeting
Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi leading a delegation met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov in Ashgabat on Monday, 26 February 2024. The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, upgrading Afghanistan’s diplomatic presence in Ashgabat, and practically starting TAPI project in Afghanistan, according to […]
Turkmenistan’s foreign ministry hosted a meeting with an Afghan delegation led by Muttaqi
On February 26, 2024, in Ashgabat, a meeting was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and a delegation that arrived in Turkmenistan led by the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi, consisting of representatives of various government agencies of Afghanistan, including the Ministry of Mining and […]
Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan hosted a Meeting with China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan
On 23 February 2024, a high-level meeting took place in Ashgabat between Turkmenistan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Gurbanov, and China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Affairs, Yue Xiaoyun. The discussion underscored the strong strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and China, characterized by mutual understanding and support. Both sides acknowledged the crucial role of leadership interactions […]
TAPI: All Afghans support this great project, says acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan
At the end of last week, the CEO of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd, Muhammetmyrat Amanov, met in Kabul with the Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Shahabuddin Delawar. During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues within the framework of the TAPI gas pipeline project, and also stressed the need to accelerate […]
Central Asian Representatives, EU Discuss Afghanistan’s Socio-Economic, Security Challenges
On 14 February 2024, Bishkek hosted the 5th meeting of special representatives from Central Asian states and the European Union on Afghanistan. Key participants included UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Rosa Otumbayeva, the Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, and the Special Envoy […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discuss cooperation in tax sphere
Officials from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan held talks in Kabul, aiming to avoid double taxation and facilitate closer economic ties. This marked the first round of face-to-face discussions on the matter, hosted by the Afghanistan Ministry of Finance. The three-day series of talks involved officials from the Afghan Ministry of Finance responsible for fiscal, technical, legal, […]
Afghanistan Eyes Balanced Trade with Central Asia
In 2023, Afghanistan imported about $1.4 billion worth of goods from Central Asian countries, while the country exported goods worth $100 million, TOLOnews reports, citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Trade. According to the ministry’s spokesman Akhundzada Abdul Salam Javad, the country’s main exports to Central Asia are fresh fruits, dried fruits, while attempts […]
Afghanistan hosts Regional Cooperation Initiative meeting — Representatives of 12 countries attend
Afghanistan’s Regional Cooperation Initiative meeting brought together representatives and ambassadors of 12 neighboring and regional countries on Monday in Kabul. Under discussion was the need for positive interaction between regional countries and the Islamic Emirate, coordination in the field of regional cooperation, creation of a common region-oriented narrative at a regional level and joint cooperation […]
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan hold a joint technical meeting on Noorul Jihad substation development project
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan’s major electricity utility, and representatives from Turkmenistan, led by Murad Artykov, Head of International Technical Projects, held a recent joint meeting to discuss the progress of the Herat Noorul Jihad substation development project, according to DABS press release. Both sides tackled crucial issues like document preparation and ensuring timely […]
Afghanistan-Turkmenistan Trade Reaches $481 Million in 2023
Trade between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan soared to $481 million in 2023, TOLoNews reports citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. During a recent meeting between the Acting Minister and the Turkmen Ambassador in Kabul discussions focused on expanding trade, with a specific emphasis on boosting Afghan marble exports to Turkmenistan. “Afghanistan and Turkmenistan had […]
Ashgabat to host an exhibition of Afghanistan production
Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Khoja Ovezov met with Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan. An increase in Afghanistan’s exports to Turkmenistan was noted at the meeting, the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports. In this context, the parties discussed a roadmap for increasing trade turnover between the two countries. The […]
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan discuss the start of the practical implementation of the TAPI gas pipeline project
In Kabul, the General Executive Officer of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd, Muhammetmyrat Amanov and Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan Khoja Ovezov, met with the Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Shahabuddin Delawar, the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum Industry says. The meeting focused on areas crucial for advancing the project, including: Highlighting the […]
Turkmenistan, Afghanistan Discuss Boosting Torghundi Port Capacity
On 8 January 2024, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Khoja Ovezov, met with the head of the Afghan Railways Administration (ARA), Maulavi Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, in Kabul. Their discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation in railway connectivity and transit between the two nations. A key focus of the meeting was enhancing the capacity of the […]
Turkmenistan modernizes Noorul Jihad Substation to bring reliable electricity to thousands in Herat
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the national power utility company of Afghanistan, is working with Turkmenistan’s State Corporation “Turkmen Energo”to modernize the Noorul Jihad Substation in Herat. This vital project will provide thousands of customers with reliable electricity and boost the industrial sector in the northwestern region of the province. Recently, the leadership of DABS, along […]
Afghanistan secures 1.8 billion kWh of electricity from Turkmenistan in 2024
In a two-day visit to Turkmenistan, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) CEO Muhammad Hanif Hamza and his delegation secured a critical energy supply agreement for 2024. The deal ensures the delivery of up to 1.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity to Afghanistan through four established routes: Andkhoi, Aqina, Badghis, and Torghundi-Herat lines, according to DABS. […]
Pakistan extends special investment shield for TAPI project
Pakistan is working to extend its Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPPA) to cover Turkmenistan’s investment in the project of transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI), Pakistani news outlets report. This decision, announced by a senior energy ministry official on Tuesday, offers valuable guarantees to the Turkmen government, potentially enhancing the project’s bankability. Estimated at […]
TDH Commentary: Following the Trajectory of Turkmen-Afghan Constructive Cooperation
During the 10 November meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed the relevant chief officials to continue the construction of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line. In order to discuss the current state of implementation of this project, as well as the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, and the expansion of the […]
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan renewed agreement on electricity purchase
On Friday, 15 December 2023, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan the renewed the annual electricity purchase agreement between two countries for 2024, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, main electric energy company in Afghanistan, reports. The renewed agreement was signed on the sidelines of the visit by Chief Executive Officer of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat Muhammad Hanif Hamza and […]
Afghanistan Foreign Ministry: Turkmenistan Seeks Billion-Dollar Trade Boost with Afghanistan, Discusses TAPI Pipeline
Ashgabat has set a target on significantly expanding trade with Afghanistan, aiming to reach US $1 billion of trade turnover, according to the Afghanistan Foreign Ministry. The statement came during a two-day visit by Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to the Afghanistan province of Herat. Meredov met with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other […]
Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan visited Afghanistan
On 16-17 December 2023, a delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov paid a working trip to Afghanistan, Herat province, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports. During the meeting with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Petroleum and Mines Shahabuddin Delawar and Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi, a […]
Afghanistan Power Utility Company and Turkmenistan agreed to accelerate the implementation of the Noor ul-Jihad substation modernization project
The head of the Department of International Electric Power Projects in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan direction of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, Myrat Artykov, and the chief executive officer of Afghanistan’s largest energy company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Muhammad Hanif Hamza, signed a protocol in Kabul on accelerating the implementation of the Herat Noor ul-Jihad […]
Turkmenistan and DABS Discuss Electricity Imports and Substation Modernization
On a working trip to Kabul, Myrat Artykov, Head of Turkmenistan’s Department of International Electric Power Projects, met with Muhammad Hanif Hamza, CEO of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan’s major power utility company. Discussions focused on electricity imports from Turkmenistan in 2024 and an early start to the Noor ul-Jihad Substation Project, according to […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to sign Electricity Supply Contract for 2024
On 7 December 2023, a delegation from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Energy met with Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Abdul Latif Mansour, in Kabul. The meeting focused on continued cooperation in electricity supply and power projects within Afghanistan. Mansour expressed gratitude for Turkmenistan’s constant support and emphasized the importance of further collaboration, the […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Establish Joint Committee to Enhance Railway Cooperation
On 1 December 2023, a delegation from Afghanistan led by Bakht Rahman Sharafat, Director General of the Afghanistan Railway Administration, met with Azat Atamyradov, Head of the Turkmendemiryollary Agency (Turkmen Railways). According to the Afghanistan Railway Authority’s press service, the meeting focused on in-depth discussions regarding bilateral cooperation in the railway sector. Expressing gratitude for […]
UNODC survey: Afghanistan opium cultivation in 2023 declined 95 per cent following drug ban
On 5th November 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published the report Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan which plunged by an estimated 95 per cent following a drug ban imposed by the de facto authorities in April 2022. Opium cultivation fell across all regions in Afghanistan, from 233,000 hectares to just […]
Turkmenistan sends humanitarian aid to earthquake-stricken Afghanistan
In response to the devastating earthquakes that recently struck Afghanistan, Turkmenistan has sent a humanitarian cargo of medicines and medical supplies, textile and food products. The cargo was arranged with the support of the Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, […]
Powerful Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan, Killing Hundreds
On 7 October 2023, a powerful earthquake struck the western province of Herat, Afghanistan, killing more than 2,000 people and injuring more than 9,000 others. The epicenter of the quake was located about 30 kilometers from the Zindajan district, where 13 villages suffered the most damage. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake […]
Afghanistan Implements National Energy Projects to Increase Electricity Imports from Turkmenistan
Afghanistan will implement six important energy projects with a total cost of $75 million in order to increase electricity imports from Turkmenistan and meet the energy needs of industry and the population. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources has signed relevant agreements with the local Awfi Bahram Mines Extraction and Processing Trading Company, the […]
Tatarstan hosted Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan – Kazan Declaration adopted
nCa Report On 29 September 2023, the 5th meeting of the Moscow format of Consultations on Afghanistan was held in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan (Russian Federation). The meeting was attended by special representatives on Afghanistan, and senior officials from Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, China, UAE, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, […]