Business
Pakistan eases import process for Afghan traders
In a bid to facilitate trade activities, the Pakistan government has granted a temporary waiver of the Electronic Import Form (EIF) for Afghanistan.
The move was decided during an Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC) meeting that was attended by Pakistan’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq and other high-ranking Pakistani officials.
According to Pakistan media, the waiver, initially granted for 45 days, comes as compliance with the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to assist Afghanistan in addressing the impending humanitarian and economic crisis.
As EIFs were not being issued by the corresponding banks to execute transactions for imports, this led to a situation with long queues of cargo vehicles being stuck at Torkham and Chaman border crossings, Pakistan’s Business Recorder reported.
However, now with the introduction of the new measures, imports from Afghanistan will be possible without the mandatory requirement of Electronic Import Form (EIF) as required by the State Bank of Pakistan.
The new initiative will come as a huge relief for Afghan traders and will help to immediately clear hundreds of cargo trucks currently stuck at various border crossings due to the non-availability of EIF.
The decision comes after a visit by Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf to Kabul late last month to establish national level coordination mechanisms to enhance ties and trade between the two countries. Yusuf also heads up the newly formed Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell.
Business
Pakistan reports 56% drop in exports to Afghanistan in second half of 2025
Imports from Afghanistan to Pakistan also saw a notable decline, falling by 36.75 percent to $6.321 million, the data showed.
Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan declined sharply by 56.61 percent in the second half of 2025, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan.
The bank said Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan totaled $219.489 million between July and December 2025, reflecting a significant decrease compared to the same period earlier.
Imports from Afghanistan to Pakistan also saw a notable decline, falling by 36.75 percent to $6.321 million, the data showed.
Trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were disrupted on October 11, 2025, following military tensions between the two countries.
Afghanistan has sent 20 kilograms of raw gold, valued at $2.9 million, to Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region for processing.
Termiz Gold Production, a jewelry manufacturing company based in the Termez International Trade Center free economic zone, has begun processing the imported gold, Kazakh media reported.
The project is expected to boost regional industrial capacity, advance the jewelry industry, and increase export volumes, while also improving the investment climate by creating favorable conditions for industrial development and higher value-added production.
Business
Russia signals interest in expanding investment and trade ties with Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s envoy to Moscow met with Russian officials this week where both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral ties.
Russia has expressed strong interest in expanding investment and trade cooperation with Afghanistan during a meeting between Afghan and Russian officials in Moscow.
The Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate to Russia, Gul Hassan Hassan, met with Alexander Shkirando, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce, and Dmitry Antonov, Head of the Afghan–Russian Business Council.
During the talks, Russian officials highlighted their interest in increasing investment and commercial engagement with Afghanistan, noting that favorable conditions for investment have been established in the country.
Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan briefed the meeting on Afghanistan’s current security and economic situation and urged greater access for Afghan products to Russian markets, as well as an expansion of imports from Afghanistan.
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia.
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