Kazakhstan eyes participation in modernizing nitrogen plant in Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif
As part of his official visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin had a meeting with the Afghan Minister of Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The Afghan minister expressed his gratitude to Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the support of the Afghan people, emphasizing that mutual trust, respect, and constructive cooperation are vital for ensuring stability and security in the region.
Zhumangarin highlighted Afghanistan’s importance as a partner for Kazakhstan in Central and South Asia.
The two countries' relevant ministries are currently discussing cooperation issues in combating transnational crime, drug trafficking and extremism.
The Kazakh side expressed readiness to establish direct contacts and sign a corresponding memorandum of cooperation.
Zhumangarin stressed that security is a key factor for expanding trade and economic ties, attracting investment and implementing joint projects.
The sides also focused on cooperation in training canine service specialists. Zhumangarin reminded that earlier, the Afghan side had proposed an initiative to exchange experience between the anti-narcotics units of the two countries. In this regard, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs expressed readiness to organize training for Afghan dog handlers at the Ministry’s Canine Center in Almaty. Kazakhstan has offered to train five specialists this year and hand over five service dogs to the Afghan side next year.
The parties also discussed Kazakhstan’s participation in modernizing a nitrogen plant in Mazar-i-Sharif under Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry. Kazakh engineers have already visited the facility, with the next step being a technical assessment, equipment modernization needs, and cost evaluation. Issues of financing, guarantees, logistics, and access for specialists were also addressed.
At the conclusion of the talks, both sides reaffirmed their interest in further cooperation, noting that security guarantees, reliable logistics, and effective interaction with law enforcement structures are essential for implementing long-term economic and investment projects.
Earlier, it was reported that in 2025, Kazakhstan-Afghanistan bilateral trade hit 541.8 million US dollars. The two countries aim to increase trade turnover to 3 billion US dollars in the near future.
