Russia and Afghanistan sign 15 memoranda of understanding worth $103 million

Representatives of the private sector in Russia and Afghanistan signed 15 memoranda of understanding with a total value of $103 million, during the Russian-Afghan Business Forum held in the capital, Kabul.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk announced after the forum that the two sides had signed important trade agreements in multiple sectors, explaining that the agreements include the supply of wheat, grains, flour, food oils, medicines, medical supplies and energy equipment from Russia to Afghanistan.

According to the Afghan government, the signing took place between representatives of the private sector in the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar took part in the talks with the Russian delegation.

Overchuk said the scope of the signed contracts is broad, and that cooperation will not be limited to shipping basic goods, but will extend to developing the energy sector and strengthening technical infrastructure. Afghanistan expressed interest in working with Russian companies to modernize its energy infrastructure.

In the opposite direction, Afghanistan intends to export pomegranates and fresh and dried fruits to the Russian market, in a step aimed at expanding its agricultural exports and increasing its revenues from foreign trade.

According to Overchuk, the volume of trade between Russia and Afghanistan exceeded $349 million in the first eight months of 2025, more than double its level in the corresponding period last year.

More than 70 representatives of the Russian business sector took part in the Kabul forum, including representatives of companies operating in transport, logistics, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Baradar called on Russian companies to invest in mining, production facilities, infrastructure, agriculture, livestock and special economic zones, and called for facilitating access for Afghan products to the Russian market and reducing transport and transit costs.

The agreements came after Russia officially recognized the Taliban government in 2025, which was accompanied by an intensification of official contacts and economic cooperation between Moscow and Kabul.