Afghanistan’s export up by 33pc: ACCI

KABUL Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) on Saturday said the country’s exports witnessed a 33 percent increase during the current year, compared with 2013.

Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, the ACCI head, told a news conference in Kabul that Afghanistan’s exports during 2014 stood at $524 billion, compared with $393 billion in the previous year. 

He added exploration of a suitable market in the region and Europe, a decrease in natural disasters, improvement in quality of products and bumper crops had boosted the exports.

Haqjo explained fruits, cotton, precious stones, juices and dairy products were exported to Pakistan, India, Iran, Russia, China, Australia, Gulf, European and Central Asian Countries.

Pakistan purchased most of Afghan products, he said, citing growing insecurity and lack of storage, electricity and government patronage as key hurdles to exports.

The ACCI head proposed the establishment of free trade zones at in transit cities, from where goods could be exported to other countries without delay.

nh/mud