KABUL, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan interim government and Russia have signed five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) focusing on trade, transport, transit, and gas exploration cooperation, a government statement said on Friday.

According to the statement, the MoUs were signed on Friday in the presence of Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Alexey Overchuk and Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund at the opening ceremony of the Afghanistan-Russia business forum held in Kazan, Russia.

The inked MoUs cover transport facilities, easing tariffs, building industrial parks, and expanding trade relations between the two countries, it said.

The Afghan interim government has urged local and international organizations to invest in the country to strengthen the economy and generate employment opportunities. ■