Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund Meets with President of Tatarstan

Following his participation in the opening ceremony of the 16th Kazan International Economic Forum today— May, 15, 2025–Deputy PM for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met with the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, on the sidelines of the forum.

During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations, and explored investment opportunities for Tatarstani investors in Afghanistan.

Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund expressed his gratitude to President Minnikhanov for inviting the delegation of the Islamic Emirate to the 16th Kazan International Economic Forum under the theme “Russia – Islamic World,” providing an important platform to enhance political and economic ties between Afghanistan and other nations.

He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate’s foreign policy is independent, positive, neutral, balanced, and economically oriented, and that Afghanistan seeks constructive relations with all countries. He stated that, based on this policy, the Islamic Emirate is interested in expanding cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan, particularly in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and bilateral trade.

Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund  highlighted that Afghanistan’s current conditions are favorable for investment and invited Tatarstani investors to explore opportunities in oil and gas extraction and refining, construction projects, railway development, and other key sectors. He assured them of full cooperation and support from the Islamic Emirate.

He further described the 16th Kazan International Economic Forum as a valuable opportunity to expand economic and commercial relations between Afghanistan and Tatarstan. He recommended organizing exhibitions and other economic activities between the two sides to fully leverage existing potential.

President Minnikhanov welcomed the participation of the Islamic Emirate’s high-level delegation at the forum, calling it significant. He announced that Tatarstan would send a delegation to Kabul to explore ways to strengthen ties with Afghanistan. He added that although Tatarstan already engages in some trade with Afghanistan, they are ready to significantly expand the scope of these relations.

During the meeting, the General Director of KAMAZ Trucks also stated that Tatarstan is prepared to increase exports of KAMAZ freight and fire trucks to Afghanistan. He mentioned that a special subsidy would be secured from President Minnikhanov to support this initiative and that a delegation would soon visit Afghanistan to assess the market and take practical steps.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, who expressed readiness to increase exports of halal food products to Afghanistan.

At the end of the meeting, Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund extended an official invitation to President Minnikhanov to visit Afghanistan to further strengthen bilateral relations. He described the meeting as a promising beginning for enhanced cooperation between the two countries.