Afghanistan’s exports up by 32%

Afghanistan’s exports rose 32 percent in the first month of the year compared to the same period last year, officials said Tuesday.
The value of exports soared to $477 million in the January to August period, said Ajmal Hamid Abdul Rahimzai, Afghanistan’s acting minister of industry and commerce.
He said that factors behind the rise in exports were establishment of air corridors, holding trade shows for the purpose of marketing Afghan products abroad, building transit routes with China, Kazakhstan, India and Uzbekistan.
“Afghanistan’s economic growth and development are the main goals of the government and international community for the transformation decade,” Abdul Rahimzai said. “The country’s economic growth through strengthening of the private sector is one of the government priorities, which includes the support of local investors in order to improve the capacity of domestic products to increase exports and substitution of imports.”
In 2016, Afghanistan’s exports were valued $640 million and last year it was $783 million.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, Afghanistan’s trade involves 98 percent exports and two percent imports.
Meanwhile, First Afghanistan-UK Business Conference was held in London on Sunday to provide a platform for investors and interested stakeholders to explore the current venture and business opportunities in Afghanistan.
“Today, successful and resilient Afghan business are looking for partners in UK for their products, as well as new business opportunities in telecom, textiles, carpets, gem &jewelry, luxury goods, agriculture and horticulture, energy, health, mining & construction,” said Said Tayeb Jawad, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to UK.
“We are aware of security challenges. However, Afghan businesses are resilient and resourceful, and our Security Forces are fighting relentlessly to improve the security situation,” Jawad added.