The eighth meeting of the regional technical group of CBMs on trade, commerce & investment opportunities under the 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' also shared the view that Afghanistan acted as a natural bridge in promoting regional connectivity and economic integration.
"There was consensus that economic development was an important factor in ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia Region. In this context, the participants shared views on various measures and steps to promote transit and trade and realising reliable and robust connectivity, with Afghanistan as the hub," a release by the external affairs ministry said.
Hosted by India, the meeting was co-chaired by acting director general of economic cooperation department in Afghanistan foreign minister Hassan Soroosh, and joint secretary in the MEA Deepak Mittal.
Attended by representatives of 17 participating countries and supporting international organisations, including Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UAE, Australia, Egypt, Germany, the UK, the US, the EU and the UN, the release said.
The release said the recent establishment of the air freight corridor between India and Afghanistan was welcomed as providing fast and assured access to farmers of Afghanistan to the large markets in South Asia and beyond was acknowledged positively as also New Delhi's assistance for capacity building and training of Afghan officials.
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