China and Pakistan reportedly agree to bring Belt and Road Initiative to Afghanistan

By bne IntelIiNews May 30, 2023

China and Pakistan have reportedly agreed to extend the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into Afghanistan, potentially drawing in billions of dollars to fund infrastructure projects in the sanctions-hit country.

Silk Road Briefing on May 29 cited Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry as saying an agreement for the inclusion of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan was reached in Islamabad on May 28.

The extension of BRI to Afghanistan could have important trade and infrastructure ramifications for the countries of Central Asia, particularly its neighbours Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Iran might also eventually stand to benefit as another neighbour of Afghanistan.

Elements of the $60bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will likely be planned with Afghanistan involvement if the BRI move enjoys clear implementation. Such implementation might depend on the stability, or instability, of the security-situation in the conflict-torn country.

A UN agency said last week the Taliban requires $4.6bn in 2023 to assist more than two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population of 40mn, most of whom are living in extreme poverty.

Read in IntelliNews Pro
Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

Kazakhstan can expect GDP growth of 3.1% this year and 5.6% next, says IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects real GDP growth of 3.1% this year and 5.6% in 2025 for Kazakhstan in its newly released ... more

Lukoil expands in Kazakhstan

Lukoil is expanding its oil and gas operations in Kazakhstan, the Moscow-based Kommersant newspaper reported on April 8, amid limited overseas opportunities for the company because of Russia’s ... more

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s combined IT exports surpass $800mn

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s combined IT exports surpassed $800mn in 2023. The Kazakh IT sector's export revenue jumped from $50mn in 2020 to over $500mn last year. Astana Hub was a major ... more

Follow Us On

Most Read

  1. Ukraine's birth rate plummets to 300-year low as country’s population collapses
    6 days ago
  2. Fresh evidence suggests that the April 2022 Istanbul peace deal to end the war in Ukraine was stillborn
    6 days ago
  3. Russia’s war economy boosted by rising oil prices
    7 days ago
  4. Russia’s $13.4bn current account surplus in March second highest since 2007
    6 days ago
  5. Iran vs Israel: Who is better equipped for war?
    10 days ago
  1. Russia could pay off its entire external debt tomorrow, in cash
    24 days ago
  2. Speculation swirls of “Men in Blue” in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack linked to FSB
    28 days ago
  3. Albanians campaign on social media to keep bus bridge created in freak accident
    1 year ago
  4. BRICS announce a blockchain-based payment system to create a common currency
    26 days ago
  5. UBN: Russia could take the Baltic states in 48 hours
    1 month ago

Reports

Dismiss