Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi declared Afghanistan “open for business” during his appearance at the 20th Western China International Fair in Sichuan on Monday. He signalled a shift toward an economy-driven foreign policy and urged international investment.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Muttaqi said Afghanistan’s strategic location, youthful population, and abundant natural resources uniquely position it to serve as a regional transit and trade hub. He emphasised the Taliban administration’s commitment to fostering economic partnerships and invited foreign investors to engage with confidence.
Highlighting growing ties with Beijing, Muttaqi praised China’s role in Afghanistan’s agricultural and technology sectors and described it as one of the Taliban government’s key economic partners.
During his ongoing visit, Muttaqi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and deepening economic cooperation. According to Taliban foreign ministry deputy spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, Wang Yi pledged continued political and economic support for Afghanistan and vowed to help remove barriers to Afghan imports, particularly agricultural goods.
Muttaqi’s China trip follows a recent visit to Iran, where he met with President Masoud Pezeshkian as part of broader efforts by the Taliban to bolster regional ties and attract foreign investment amid international isolation.
