Sher Khan Port revenue declines by 27%

KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): The revenue of Sher Khan Port in northern Kunduz province has decreased 200 million afghanis due to prolonged election process, insecurity and delay to form the central cabinet, officials said Tuesday.

Shahabuddin Bawar, director of Sher Khan Port, told Pajhwok Afghan News the port’s revenue had reached 700 million afghanis last year while this year it only touched the figure of 500 million afghanis.

Bawar linked the decrease to lack of political stability in the country, prolonged presidential and provincial election process, delay in appointing cabinet members.

The first round of the presidential and provincial elections was held in April 5, 2014 and the results were announced six months later which affected the overall business activities of the country.

The nominees for cabinet were announced three months later after the president’s oath taking ceremony and only eight of 24 nominees won trust vote from lawmakers.

Afghanistan exports cement, sugar, handicrafts, food items and other materials through the port, where oil, construction materials, food items, flour, onion and otters are being imported from foreign countries.

Bawar said only two trucks are arriving daily at the port importing goods to Afghanistan. The number of trucks exporting Afghan goods through the border is upto 50 vehicles daily, he added.

Governor Mohammad Omar Safi called the decrease of the revenue unacceptable and vowed that steps were on to increase the imports to Afghanistan.

He added that he plans to construct trading port section, improve private sector and pave the ground for cross border trading that could convert the port to one of important income source of the country.

mds/rm