Memorandum of Understanding Signed for the Torghundi–Herat Railway Project with a $500 Million Investment

The Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met today, July 10, 2025, with Murat Nurtileu, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, at the Arg. During the meeting, the two sides discussed trade, transit, railway, banking, and economic cooperation.

Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund described the relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan as positive and developing, and stated that the Islamic Emirate is working to expand cooperation with Kazakhstan in areas that contribute to Afghanistan’s prosperity and development.

The Deputy PM assured the Kazakh side that Afghanistan, as an effective transit corridor, can facilitate the transmission of Kazakh energy to South Asia through its territory.

He also emphasized the importance of utilizing existing opportunities between the two countries, adding that both sides can collaborate in the sectors of mining, transportation, telecommunications, energy production, oil and gas, and infrastructure projects.

During the meeting, discussions were held on signing an agreement on the preservation and quarantine of agricultural products between the two countries, increasing exports and imports via railway, signing an agreement on international freight and transport between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, establishing joint cooperation in industrial, commercial, and transport sectors among Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, opening major trade centers in both countries, and reducing transit fees. It was noted that the implementation of these measures could raise the volume of trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan to three billion USD.

Following this, Murat Nurtileu, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, spoke and stated that Kazakhstan will continue its support for Afghanistan on the international stage and sees strong potential for joint cooperation and closer collaboration in various sectors. He added that Kazakhstan is ready to begin a practical investment worth $500 million in the Herat–Torghundi railway project. He also expressed Kazakhstan’s readiness to increase electricity exports to Afghanistan, facilitate the export of Afghan agricultural products to Kazakh markets, and allow Afghan banks to open accounts in Kazakhstan’s Freedom and Zaman Banks.

Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund welcomed Kazakhstan’s investment in the Herat–Torghundi railway project and regarded it as a significant step toward enhancing transit and trade between the two countries.

In conclusion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two sides to initiate a $500 million investment by Kazakhstan in the Herat–Torghundi railway project.