Business circles of Kazakhstan
and Afghanistan recently held talks in the city of Astana. The Afghan side
presented its trade and economic as well as investment potential to domestic
entrepreneurs. Now the country is interested in investments in the energy and
telecommunication sectors, and the construction of roads and railways. According
to representatives of Afghanistan, the country’s authorities are ready to
provide investors with attractive conditions and preferences, namely, income
tax benefits and exemption from tax on the purchase of machinery for the
manufacturing sector and mining enterprises. It is noteworthy that mutual trade
turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan amounted to nearly $1 billion last
year. The country is the leading importer of Kazakh flour and one of the top five
consumers of vegetable oil produced in Kazakhstan. Overall, more than 50 joint
ventures are now operating in Kazakhstan, according to the country’s Ministry
of Trade and Integration. Also, this year, a Kazakh trading house opened in the
Afghan city of Herat. It should be noted that the Kazakh-Afghan business forum got
started today in Astana.
