BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. A delegation of
the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) has
visited Ashgabat to discuss expanding trade and economic
cooperation with Turkmenistan.


This was reflected in a press release issued by ACCI.


The delegation traveled to Turkmenistan at the official
invitation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan,
ACCI said.


The delegation included ACCI officials, representatives of the
Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the Herat Oil and Gas
Union, Afghan traders and business representatives residing in
Turkmenistan.


During the visit, ACCI Deputy for Provincial Affairs Faiz Ahmad
Khawafi participated in an official meeting at the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan with Turkmen business
representatives, industrialists and investors.


Khawafi emphasized the long-standing economic ties between
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and called for expanding bilateral
trade beyond traditional commercial transactions.







“Trade relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan should
move beyond conventional buying and selling toward joint
investments, the establishment of joint ventures, long-term
contracts, and practical economic projects,” he said.


The delegation's visit focused on strengthening regional
economic cooperation and creating opportunities for greater
private-sector involvement in bilateral relations, the report
said.


Meanwhile, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan share a long land border
and have developed economic ties around energy, transport and
cross-border trade. Turkmenistan's position on the Caspian Sea and
Afghanistan's access to South Asian markets give the two countries
complementary roles in regional connectivity.


Energy remains one of the main areas of bilateral economic
interaction, while transport infrastructure creates additional
opportunities for expanding trade. Turkmenistan has been developing
routes linking its territory with Afghanistan and further toward
South Asia, including through the
Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project
and related infrastructure.


Against this backdrop, greater involvement of Afghan and Turkmen
private businesses could help shift bilateral economic relations
toward longer-term commercial projects, including investment,
processing and logistics.