Taliban signs provisional deal with Russia to diversify trade

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Taliban signs provisional deal with Russia to diversify trade

The Taliban have signed a provisional deal with Russia in order to diversify its trading partners and take advantage of a discount on average global commodity prices.

This is the first major international economic deal struck by the Taliban since they returned to power more than a year ago, according to the report, acting Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi.

Azizi said the agreement would continue for an unspecified trial period, after which both sides would be expected to sign a longer-term deal if they were satisfied. The deal was finalized after the Afghan technical team spent several weeks of discussions in Moscow.

Azizi cited international data saying most Afghans were living below the poverty line, and his office was working to support trade and the economy through international outreach.

Afghans are in great need. He was quoted as saying that whatever we do, we do it based on national interest and the people's benefit.

Despite the fact that Russia does not officially recognize the Taliban government, Moscow hosted its leaders in the run-up to the fall of Kabul and its embassy is one of only a handful to remain open in the Afghan capital, according to Reuters.