Seriously and for a long time
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan are moving from trade to large-scale investment projects.
Long-Term Partnership: Afghanistan and Turkmenistan Strengthen Economic Ties
A delegation from the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Deputy Chairman Faiz Ahmad Khawafi, visited Ashgabat to strengthen economic cooperation. During meetings with Turkmen entrepreneurs, the Afghan side proposed establishing joint ventures and concluding long-term contracts. An invitation was extended to 100 leading Turkmen businessmen and investors to visit Kabul to explore potential projects in energy, mining, agriculture, and logistics.
Concurrently, talks were held near the Torghundi border crossing between Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Afghan Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar. The meeting resulted in the signing of an agreement between Turkmen Gas and Afghan Gas on the procurement of raw materials for the major TAPI project. The Turkmen side confirmed its readiness to begin construction of a gas distribution network in Herat province and to increase the transit of Afghan goods through the Turkmenbashi seaport along the Lapis Lazuli Corridor to Europe.
Experts note significant changes in relations between the two countries. While cooperation was previously limited to intergovernmental memorandums and border trade, the emphasis is now shifting to directly attracting private capital. For Ashgabat, Afghanistan is a key overland route to South Asian markets, while for Kabul, cooperation with Turkmenistan opens access to Caspian logistics. However, the successful implementation of planned joint projects remains directly dependent on ensuring security in the region.