Afghan Deputy PM Seeks Major Boost in Trade with Baku Port Visit
Kabul’s economic ambitions took a major step forward today as Mawlavi Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, paid a pivotal visit to the Baku International Sea Port in Azerbaijan. This visit emphasized Afghanistan’s eagerness to enhance its trade logistics and boost exports to key destinations such as Turkey and Europe.
A Strategic Review at the Baku Port
Source reports detail that during the visit, Deputy PM Baradar meticulously assessed the extensive port facilities at Baku. The port is recognized for its substantial transit capabilities of 15 million metric tons annually, with promising plans to increase this to 25 million metric tons in the forthcoming period. The Deputy PM’s review signifies a critical assessment to align Afghanistan’s export capabilities with Baku’s upcoming infrastructure expansions.
Enhancing Afghan Export Routes via the Lapis Lazuli Corridor
A pivotal highlight of the visit was the focus on the Lapis Lazuli corridor, an essential trade route facilitating Afghan exports to Europe. Baradar advocated for Azerbaijani officials to ease the passage of Afghan industrial, agricultural, and mineral goods. The facilitation of these export channels is likely to invigorate Afghanistan’s economic landscape significantly.
Collaboration for Future Trade
Engaging in dialog with Azerbaijani port and railway officials, both parties conveyed a strong willingness to bolster bilateral trade. This interaction resulted in the agreement to form joint technical committees. These committees are expected to thoroughly analyze and refine transport routes, ensuring seamless trade and transit cooperation in the future.
New Prospects to Russia via Iran
Expanding on traditional routes, the meeting also touched on using the railway system to export Afghan goods to Russia through Iran. Such broad corridors open expansive markets for Afghan products, promising an even wider reach for the nation’s economic ventures.
The Road Ahead
Baradar’s trip to the Baku port is more than a diplomatic visit; it is a statement of intent towards fortifying Afghanistan’s trade stature on a global platform. As indicated in باختر خبری آژانس, this collaboration could potentially transform Afghanistan’s economic dynamics, providing a strategic vantage for its products in international markets beyond what was previously achievable.
