Nooruddin Azizi, the Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, met with a delegation of Iranian private sector representatives on Sunday and they arrived in Kabul along with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi earlier in the day.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Iranian delegation expressed an interest in investing in the mining, agriculture and industry sectors, and announced their readiness to train Afghans in these areas.

They also stated they were interested in cooperating in the service, technical and engineering sectors, and in the exportation of minerals and agricultural produce from Afghanistan.

The two sides also discussed increasing the level of trade between the two countries, maximizing the use of Chabahar Port, preventing low-quality exports to Afghanistan, resolving issues at border markets, increasing exports to Iran, and reducing transportation and transit costs.

Meanwhile, Azizi, emphasized the need for joint cooperation in various fields, especially Chabahar Port.

He stated that Afghanistan has moved towards increasing trade in accordance with its policy plan, and that obstacles need to be removed.

The Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce noted that Afghanistan was committed to coordinating and cooperating closely with the Iranian private sector.

Afghanistan’s currency has weakened by seven percent against the US dollar over the past week, according to daily exchange rates released by Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB).

Last Sunday, one dollar was trading at 73.70 afghanis (AFN), but is now at 78.90 AFN.

Acting Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank Noor Ahmad Agha said on Sunday that the weaker afghani is not due to economic reasons and that there is no cause for concern.

In a meeting with the Money Changers Union, Agha said that the supply of currencies through the auction process in the capital and provinces, the establishment of a special market for transparency and better regulation of currency exchange are among the important measures that the bank is undertaking.

He urged money changers to cooperate in preventing hoarding and smuggling of currencies, keeping national interests in mind.

Agha warned that legal action would be taken against violators.

Dollar auction

DAB, the central bank, will meanwhile said it will auction $25 million on Monday in order to stabilize the currency.

In a statement issued by DAB, the bank urged all money changers and money service centers to participate in the auction and to clear their accounts by the end of the day.

Members of the public have however raised concerns about prices of goods on the market increasing as a result of the weaker afghani.

Afghanistan has exported dried fruit worth $518 million to various countries over the past ten months, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said on Saturday.

ACCI officials said most of these exports have been of pine nuts, with a large portion being exported to China and other countries.

Khan Jan Alkozai, a member of ACCI, said: "Dried fruit worth $518 million has been exported, particularly pine nuts, most of which have been transmitted to China and some to Pakistan."

"This year, we have also taken measures for pine nuts and contracts are ongoing,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that pine nuts exports reached 970 tons last year, valued at $12 million.

Officials from the ministry added that most of the exports are directed to neighboring and regional countries.

"In 2024, pine nuts exports reached 970 tons, worth approximately $12 million, to China, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and other countries,” said Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, a spokesperson for the ministry.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy officials said they are working on new plans to develop exports and find new markets for Afghan products daily.

Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari said: "The Islamic Emirate’s policy is export-oriented. If there are imports at the moment, it is due to the needs of the people of Afghanistan. Based on this policy, for example, we have had more than $5 million in export development for dried fruit, specifically to China.”

Afghanistan's main export items include minerals, cotton, medicinal plants, fresh and dried fruits, carpets, and saffron.