Economics news / Updates

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Afghanistan-India trade volume totalled $890 million in last solar year​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (Ariana News): Afghanistan’s trade with India continued to grow through solar year 1403, with Afghan exports accounting for a significant percentage of the total $890 million.

According to Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesman for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Afghanistan’s exports to India amounted to $627 million.

Imports were however considerably less, totalling $263 million.

Jawad stated that Afghanistan’s exports were primarily agricultural and herbal products.

The main items included dried figs, asafetida, asafetida seeds, saffron, raisins, cumin, and almonds.

India remains one of Afghanistan’s key regional trade partners, and trade figures highlight the ongoing demand for Afghan goods despite broader geopolitical and logistical challenges.

However, Afghanistan’s trade with India through Pakistan has been halted due to closure of the Attari-Wagah border this week.

Indian media reported that the border, which is the only land route allowed for trade, is now closed.

This route is vital for importing goods from Afghanistan to India, and if it is stopped, trade with Afghanistan will be severely affected.

Some traders have said they will seek alternate routes.

India closed its border crossing this week after gunmen shot and killed at least 26 tourists on Tuesday at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Police blamed Pakistani militants for the attack.

 

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Afghanistan-China rail corridor reaches 10,000 container milestone​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (TOLONews): The Ministry of Public Works announced that 10,000 containers have so far been transported through the Afghanistan-China economic rail corridor.

At a ceremony marking the arrival of the 10,000th container into Afghanistan via this route, the deputy minister of railways described the corridor as a cheaper and easier alternative for transporting goods compared to other routes.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to facilitate trade and improve conditions for Afghan businesses involved in importing and exporting goods across the region.

Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, deputy minister of railways at the Ministry of Public Works: “In the past year, 10,000 containers have arrived in Afghanistan from China. This route is easier, cheaper, and shorter for traders—it ensures safe and low-cost delivery.”

Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador to Kabul, citing growing economic and trade ties with Afghanistan, said that China is seeking to cooperate in Afghanistan’s economic development.

Zhao Xing, Chinese ambassador to Kabul: “This project strengthens Afghanistan’s trust in the region, connects the country to regional stability, boosts its industry, and creates job opportunities for the Afghan people. It also puts Afghanistan on the path toward modernization and increased exports. China is eager to cooperate economically with Afghanistan.”

A representative from Uzbekistan who also attended the ceremony said: “All the necessary facilities for trade through this route are available for Afghan traders. We believe the transportation capacity will increase, and the volume of Afghan exports and imports through this corridor has already grown.”

It is worth noting that this four-nation corridor between Afghanistan, China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan was launched in 2022, following the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in Afghanistan. Since then, container shipments have been transported through the Hairatan Port.