Afghanistan Seeks $10 Billion Trade Expansion with Central Asian Neighbors

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi announced a goal to boost trade with Central Asian countries to $10 billion within three to four years. This target was revealed during a meeting in Kabul with representatives from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. The gathering addressed political, economic, and security issues while exploring regional cooperation and transit route expansion. Current trade with northern neighbors reached approximately $2.7 billion in 2025, marking substantial growth from earlier periods. Muttaqi emphasized Afghanistan's intention to leverage its geographic position as a connector between Central Asia and South and West Asia. Among key initiatives is the TAPI gas pipeline, which has seen about 25 kilometers completed on the Afghan side between Herat and Turkmenistan. Central Asian nations face challenges with traditional Russian trade routes due to sanctions, while Afghanistan's Taliban government pursues international trade despite facing its own restrictions.