Afghanistan records $2 billion worth of exports in 2023

KABUL (Khaama Press): Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the de facto administration have announced that Afghanistan exported goods worth nearly $2 billion to regional and global countries during the year 2023.

Abdul Salam Akhundzada Jawad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Taliban, stated on Monday, January 2nd, that Afghanistan’s major exports were to countries such as Pakistan, India, China, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

He mentioned that Afghanistan’s exports this year have increased by two per cent compared to previous years and emphasized the need for the world to lift restrictions to develop Afghanistan’s trade further.

The spokesperson stressed that Afghanistan had exports worth $1.9 billion in 2023, representing a two per cent increase or $41 million, despite the renovation of the Salang highway, reduced coal exports, and problems with neighboring countries.

According to the ministry’s data, exports to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have decreased, but there has been an increase in exports to India, China, and Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Taliban considered the process of increasing exports, establishing a trade data centre, a single centre for export documentation, reviving the export enhancement project, and increasing human resources for the growth of exports as significant achievements for Afghanistan’s future.

In recent months, restrictions on Afghan traders’ assets in Karachi have led to a loss of two million dollars for two individuals.

Furthermore, in its latest report, the World Bank mentioned that Afghanistan’s exports in the first three months of the last year increased by four per cent, and the country exported goods worth $600 million from January to April.