Azizi invites ECO to hold next summit in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Nooruddin Azizi, said at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) ministers’ meeting that Afghanistan is ready to host the next summit in Kabul.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Azizi also held talks with Turkey’s Trade Minister, Omar Polat, on enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

In a statement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said the ECO ministers’ meeting focused on expanding economic cooperation, promoting regional trade, and strengthening joint projects.

During his speech, Minister Azizi emphasized the importance of the ECO for Afghanistan, highlighting the country’s strategic location as a regional transit hub, and stressed Afghanistan’s readiness to play a more active role in trade and transit projects.

At the meeting, member countries officially approved several key documents and strategies, including the ECOTA (ECO Trade Agreement) negotiation amendment strategy, the Trade Facilitation Agreement finalization strategy, the framework for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among member states, and the “ECO 10-Year Development Vision” for 2026–2035.

These agreements are expected to expand free trade, reduce customs barriers, and strengthen regional connectivity.

The ministry added that Afghanistan secured support from ECO members for expanding trade, facilitating transit, and attracting foreign investment—measures considered vital for economic growth and regional cooperation.

Azizi invited the ECO to hold its next ministers’ meeting in Kabul, announcing Afghanistan’s full readiness to host the event.

The ECO, comprising 10 countries, focuses on strengthening cooperation in economy, trade, transit, and energy.

Afghanistan’s active participation in ECO meetings offers opportunities to expand exports, attract investment, and utilize regional transit potential.

Separately, Azizi met with Turkey’s Trade Minister Omar Polat on the sidelines of the 5th ECO Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul. They discussed boosting bilateral trade, which both sides agreed is currently below potential, and emphasized increasing investment from Turkish companies and institutions in Afghanistan.

Turkey reported that several trade associations and institutions have already opened offices in Kabul, signaling its interest in expanding cooperation.

The two ministers also discussed exporting Afghanistan’s major commodities—including cotton, talc, and coal—to Turkey, and improving transit routes. Turkey expressed readiness to cooperate in these areas.

The ministers agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment, with its first meeting planned in the near future.

Azizi concluded by inviting the Turkish Trade Minister to visit Afghanistan to explore trade and investment opportunities firsthand.

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