Despite all the difficulties of the formation period, Russian-Afghan relations are reaching a new, positive level of development. During the period preceding 2021, when Afghanistan was cleared of the American presence, and against the background of the military and political crisis in Ukraine, a lot of work was done, which made it possible to identify specific areas of joint economic activity.
A package of bilateral projects was worked out at the first working meeting of the Contact Group on Russian-Afghan Economic Cooperation. The meeting summed up the first results and determined the strategy of action for the coming period. Contrary to the idle fantasies of some media outlets, bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Kabul is not only gaining speed and volume, but also preparing a lot of interesting surprises.
In a geopolitical sense, the economic strengthening of Afghanistan will simultaneously strengthen the entire southern part of Central Asia, guaranteeing the Eurasian space not only real benefits, but also stability. The economy is laying a solid political foundation for the country.
The years when the new Afghan government was perceived by the outside world as not “good enough” are becoming a thing of the past, serious work has been done on mistakes, and time is moving forward. Of course, there are natural difficulties of growth, and these parameters are designed to be solved on a regular basis by the Contact Group, whose meeting is taking place these days in Kabul. The meeting is attended by all persons interested in such cooperation, in particular representatives of the Russian business community and heads of relevant departments of Afghanistan. The Afghan side is headed by Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs in the interim Government of the country.
Speaking about specific areas of the economy, it should be noted that the participants are interested not only in mining, but also in organizing joint ventures in the field of processing and housing construction, where there is a huge field for interaction. It is envisaged that Russian companies will participate in the laying of railways and dirt roads, which will become another giant construction track. Other areas of cooperation are the reconstruction and construction of hydraulic structures, promising projects in the agricultural sector and banking, that is, the range is as wide as possible.
Opening the meeting of the Contact Group, Abdul Ghani Baradar noted the great potential in the field of mining and processing of minerals, urging Russians to invest in the economy of Afghanistan. The emergence of a solid organizational and legal interstate framework under joint projects allows these activities to be carried out in a calm, guaranteed mode. Any issues that arise will be considered and resolved at a high bilateral level, with the participation of members of the Contact Group.
The economic recovery of Afghanistan makes investments in joint projects the most profitable and quickly repayable. Afghanistan is becoming a different country, a friend for many, and its new face will be defined by pioneering entrepreneurs.
Gleb Altman, publicist, analyst