Taliban Administration Urges Turkey to Invest in Afghanistan’s Pharmaceutical Sector
The acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Taliban administration has called on Turkey to invest in Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical production. This request was made during Nouruddin Azizi’s meeting with Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Omar Bulut, on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
According to a statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the main focus of this meeting was to expand economic cooperation between the two sides. Topics discussed included increasing bilateral trade levels and exploring Afghanistan’s existing capacities to attract investment in the sectors of industry, mining, and agriculture.
The statement also noted that Turkey’s Minister of Trade invited Nouruddin Azizi to participate in trade exhibitions in Turkey. Meanwhile, the Taliban administration has consistently emphasized attracting foreign investment over the past three years; however, political restrictions and the lack of transparent economic frameworks have hindered widespread investment inflows.
Simultaneously, a recent United Nations study reveals that Afghanistan’s economy is facing a chronic and growing trade deficit. According to the report, the country’s trade deficit is expected to rise from $6.7 billion in 2023 to over $9.5 billion in 2024, highlighting the weakness of domestic production.
The research, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), warns that a reduction in international aid could increase poverty and social instability in Afghanistan. In this context, experts believe that merely requesting investment without fundamental reforms and building international trust will not be sufficient to overcome the economic crisis.
