ACCI Chairman Meets with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), met with Mr. Khodja Ovezov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, at his office to discuss the expansion of trade and economic relations, facilitation of private-sector cooperation, and the utilization of shared economic opportunities between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan expressed satisfaction with the ongoing economic and commercial activities in Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of developing economic relations between the two countries, and invited the Chairman of ACCI to participate in two major economic events in Turkmenistan.
One of these events is the Turkmenistan Investment Forum, which is scheduled to be held in Ashgabat in October of this year.
Mr. Sayed Karim Hashemi expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s visit to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment and welcomed the long-standing and friendly relations between the two countries. He described Afghanistan and Turkmenistan as two neighboring and friendly countries with deep historical, cultural, and trade ties.
He stated that the continuation of economic cooperation between the two countries could contribute to expanding bilateral trade, increasing investment, developing transit routes, and creating new opportunities for the private sectors of both countries.
Referring to the recent meeting between Mr. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Afghanistan, and the Leader of Turkmenistan, Mr. Hashemi described the meeting as a sign of the willingness and interest of both sides to strengthen and expand economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
He emphasized that Afghanistan’s private sector welcomes any practical step toward expanding economic relations between the two countries and that ACCI is ready, within the framework of its authorities and responsibilities, to facilitate and strengthen interaction, communication, and cooperation between traders and investors of the two countries.
The Chairman of ACCI also noted that the major trade and transit routes between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan remain open and operational under normal conditions. He stated that the Torghundi Port in Herat Province and Aqina Port in Faryab Province are among the important trade and transit routes connecting Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. He emphasized that the continued operation of these routes and the movement of commercial vehicles through them are of particular importance for expanding trade and strengthening Afghanistan’s economic connectivity with Central Asia.
In another part of the meeting, Mr. Hashemi highlighted the importance of the Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) Exhibition and provided the Ambassador with the necessary information about the event.
He stated that the exhibition will be held for the fifth time on October 7 of this year and can provide an important opportunity to showcase Afghanistan’s production and trade capacities and establish direct connections between domestic and foreign traders.
The Chairman of ACCI invited the authorities, traders, and investors of Turkmenistan to participate in the exhibition, introduce Turkmenistan’s products and production capacities, become familiar with Afghan products and goods, and participate in the B2B programs that will be organized on the sidelines of the exhibition.
Mr. Hashemi further highlighted the existing capacities and opportunities in Afghanistan in the fields of energy, agriculture, industry, mining, transportation, logistics, and other economic sectors. He considered increased interaction between traders and investors of the two countries essential for identifying and effectively utilizing these opportunities.
He emphasized that developing direct connections among economic stakeholders, organizing business meetings, creating joint investment opportunities, and increasing trade exchanges can play an important role in transforming existing capacities into practical economic projects and cooperation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides discussed Afghanistan’s geographical position and economic potential in connecting Central and South Asia, as well as the opportunities arising from this position for the development of trade and transit.
They also discussed major regional and infrastructure projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline project, and the role of such projects in strengthening economic and energy cooperation among countries in the region.
The meeting emphasized the importance of maintaining continued contacts and engagement among the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the Embassy of Turkmenistan, and the business communities of the two countries in order to create more favorable conditions for expanding economic cooperation, increasing bilateral trade, and utilizing joint investment opportunities.
