The Taliban’s acting minister of commerce and trade, Haji Nooruddin Azizi, showed up at the Astana International Forum on May 30, bringing a message that Afghanistan is open for business. His pitch received what might kindly be described as mixed reviews from the audience.

During the question-and-answer portion of his appearance, multiple attendees assailed the Taliban government’s treatment of women, as well as the limitations placed on education. One pointed out that “bizarre” actions by Taliban leaders, such as a recent decision to ban chess, send “mixed signals” to potential trade partners about the Taliban’s reliability. 

Throughout it all, Azizi retained his composure and even went on the offensive. He claimed that “women are a big part of our economic development,” adding that the government had registered over 5,000 women entrepreneurs. 

He also brushed aside the chess ban as inconsequential when many Afghans are grappling with hunger. “We don’t have food to eat. Why do we need chess?” he said.

His appearance highlighted the growing divide between authoritarian-minded governments and Western democracies. Azizi praised Russia, the country most responsible for initiating Afghanistan’s 45-year-plus cycle of violence, for its willingness to engage with the Taliban before going on to attack the United States for its ongoing refusal to do so.

“Why have the Americans closed all the doors on us? … Are we to be punished forever,” he complained.

Azizi said that potential investors “have nothing to fear.” But judging from the response he received, Central Asians may be willing to turn the page, but Americans and Europeans have longer memories.

During his visit to Astana, Azizi also met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other top Kazakh officials, thanking the Kazakh leader for political and economic support. Discussions focused on a potential $500mn railway deal. “They [Kazakhstan] are at the forefront of assistance to Afghanistan,” Azizi said at the forum.

This report first appeared on Eurasianet here.