Afghanistan, China ink MoU on expanding trade ties

KABUL and China on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on expanding trade relations by supporting small and intermediate businesses.

The MoU was signed between acting Afghan commerce and industry minister KamelaSediqui and her Chinese counterpart Zhong Shan here.

Kamela Sediqui said the MoU would help expand trade cooperation between Kabul and Beijing and provide support to small and intermediate businesses.

The Chinese minister said: “I am really happy to have come to Afghanistan. Both countries enjoy historic relationship and we had a great meeting with the acting minister of commerce and industries.”

He said China wanted greater trade relationship with Afghanistan.  “I think we can improve our relationship and as a result the people of both countries will benefit,” he believed.

Musafer Quqandi, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, said the bilateral trade volume between China and Afghanistan currently stood at $1.1 billion, which mostly included imports.

nh/ma