At the 5th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul, the Minister of Industry and Commerce announced Afghanistan’s full readiness to host the next Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Kabul, and explained the importance of ECO for the country, its prominent role and geographical location as a regional transit crossroads, and emphasized Afghanistan’s readiness for more active cooperation in trade and transit projects.
Publish dateThursday 27 November 2025 - 11:57
Story Code : 338285
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: The press office of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued a press release today (Thursday, Nov 27) stating that Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Commerce, participated in the 5th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey.
The meeting was held with the presence of trade ministers of member countries and focused on developing economic cooperation, expanding regional trade, and strengthening joint projects.
Prior to the ministerial meeting, senior experts from member countries conducted extensive work and negotiations for two days on technical issues including trade facilitation, customs, investment, and amending trade agreements, the results of which were presented in the main meeting.
In his speech, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, while emphasizing the importance of ECO for Afghanistan, explained the country’s prominent role and geographical location as a regional transit crossroads and emphasized Afghanistan’s readiness for more active cooperation in trade and transit projects.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate also invited ECO to hold the next meeting of its trade ministers in Kabul and announced Afghanistan’s full readiness to host this important regional event.
In the decision-making section of the meeting, member countries officially approved several important documents and strategies, including:
Negotiation Strategy for the Amendment of the ECOTA Trade Agreement (ECOTA)
Strategy for the Arrangement and Finalization of the Trade Facilitation Agreement
Framework for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among member countries
Ten-Year Development Vision of ECO for the Years 2026-2035
The approval of these documents will determine the path of future economic and trade cooperation of ECO and pave the way for expanding free trade, reducing customs barriers, and strengthening regional connectivity.
During the meeting, Afghanistan secured the support of member countries for developing trade, facilitating transit, and attracting foreign investment in the country; an action that plays an important role in economic growth and strengthening regional cooperation.
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) consists of 10 countries and focuses on strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, transit, and energy.
Afghanistan's active participation in ECO meetings is considered a valuable opportunity to expand exports, attract investment, and better utilize the region's transit capacities.
The meeting was held with the presence of trade ministers of member countries and focused on developing economic cooperation, expanding regional trade, and strengthening joint projects.
Prior to the ministerial meeting, senior experts from member countries conducted extensive work and negotiations for two days on technical issues including trade facilitation, customs, investment, and amending trade agreements, the results of which were presented in the main meeting.
In his speech, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, while emphasizing the importance of ECO for Afghanistan, explained the country’s prominent role and geographical location as a regional transit crossroads and emphasized Afghanistan’s readiness for more active cooperation in trade and transit projects.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate also invited ECO to hold the next meeting of its trade ministers in Kabul and announced Afghanistan’s full readiness to host this important regional event.
In the decision-making section of the meeting, member countries officially approved several important documents and strategies, including:
Negotiation Strategy for the Amendment of the ECOTA Trade Agreement (ECOTA)
Strategy for the Arrangement and Finalization of the Trade Facilitation Agreement
Framework for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among member countries
Ten-Year Development Vision of ECO for the Years 2026-2035
The approval of these documents will determine the path of future economic and trade cooperation of ECO and pave the way for expanding free trade, reducing customs barriers, and strengthening regional connectivity.
During the meeting, Afghanistan secured the support of member countries for developing trade, facilitating transit, and attracting foreign investment in the country; an action that plays an important role in economic growth and strengthening regional cooperation.
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) consists of 10 countries and focuses on strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, transit, and energy.
Afghanistan's active participation in ECO meetings is considered a valuable opportunity to expand exports, attract investment, and better utilize the region's transit capacities.
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