Business

IEA welcomes World Bank report on Afghanistan’s economy

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2023

(Last Updated On: )

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Thursday welcomed the recent World Bank report on Afghanistan’s economy.

The office says that facts related to the country’s economic situation are reflected in the report.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar’s office said in a statement that “the Islamic Emirate believes that if the international community pays attention to positive interaction instead of imposing restrictions, Afghanistan will progress further in the economic field and the burden of responsibility on the shoulders of the international community will be reduced.”

“If all international organizations such as the World Bank present a true picture of the concrete realities of Afghanistan, the way of positive interaction with the Islamic Emirate will be paved,” the statement read.

The World Bank report states that Afghanistan’s exports and imports have increased, monetary stability has been maintained, and domestic revenues have increased.

According to the report, during January to April 2023, imports stood at $2.4 billion, reflecting a 27 percent growth against the same period last year.

Iran remains the most significant import origin country (21 percent), followed by Pakistan (18 percent), China (16 percent), and the United Arab Emirates (13 percent), the World Bank reported.

However, the Jan-Apr 2023 merchandise trade deficit at $1.8 billion is 38 percent higher than the $1.3 billion observed in the comparable period of 2022.

Unofficial data for January to April this year indicates that Afghanistan’s customs show total exports reached $0.6 billion — a 4 percent rise compared to the same period in 2022.

The export growth during Jan-Apr 2023 can primarily be attributed to an increase in the exports of coal, by 13 percent, and textiles by 14 percent, the report stated.

Pakistan remains Afghanistan’s largest export market accounting for 63 percent of total exports, followed by India (26 percent). Exports to Pakistan are mainly food and coal. Coal exports to Pakistan amounted to $140.7 million in Jan- Apr 2023 – 13 percent higher than the coal exports in the comparable period last year.

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Afghanistan ships first consignment to Europe via Khaf-Herat railway

Published

2 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

The press office of the Herat governor has announced the export of Afghanistan’s first shipment via the Khaf-Herat railway to Europe.

According to a statement from the office, the shipment includes 200 tons of dried fruits worth $1.2 million, which were exported to Turkey and Europe through the Khaf-Herat railway in the presence of Islam Jar, the governor of this province, and the Iranian Consul General.

The exported dried fruits in this shipment include pistachios, raisins, almonds, and pine nuts.

The statement added that over the past three months, more than 35,000 tons of goods have been transferred via the Khaf-Herat railway.

Business

Russia’s LPG exports to Afghanistan boom as Europe shuns it

The exports to Afghanistan, the main consumer of Russia’s LPG in the region, rose by 52% for the period to 71,000 tons.

Published

11 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Russia’s exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Afghanistan and ex-Soviet states in Central Asia have jumped following introduction of European Union sanctions against Moscow at the end of 2024, industry sources said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The European Union’s sanctions against Russia’s LPG over the war in Ukraine took effect on December 20. The restrictions were proposed last year by Poland, one of Russia’s largest LPG importers.

LPG, or propane and butane, is mainly used as fuel for cars, heating and to produce other petrochemicals.

According to the industry sources, railway supplies of LPG from Russia’s plants, including the Kazrosgas joint venture with Kazakhstan, jumped to the region by 80% year on year in January – February to 140,000 metric tons, read the report.

The exports to Afghanistan, the main consumer of Russia’s LPG in the region, rose by 52% for the period to 71,000 tons.

Traders expect great scope for more supplies to Afghanistan, where annual demand for LPG is seen at around 700,000 tons per year.

Business

Azizi and Zhao Xing discuss increasing Afghanistan’s exports to China

Published

2 days ago

March 25, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi and Zhao Xing, the Chinese Ambassador to Kabul, met on Tuesday and discussed increasing Afghanistan’s exports to China, particularly pine nuts, pomegranates, and precious and semi-precious stones such as nephrite, onyx, lapis lazuli, and talc, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement the goal of the meeting was to facilitate direct exports to China in order to reduce transit costs and transportation of Afghan goods, as well as to address the importation of machinery needed for the country.

Azizi and Zhao have agreed to establish a joint working group for further coordination, expanding trade relations, and creating facilities for trade, with the aim of holding regular meetings, the statement read.