US welcomes air cargo corridor with India

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The United States on Tuesday welcomed the air cargo corridor with India which was launched by the President Ashraf Ghani this week.

“We welcome this new avenue for Afghan products to enter international markets and India’s contributions to Afghanistan’s development and economic growth,” a State Department spokesperson said.

The first Afghanistan-India Air Corridor cargo flight took place on Monday, traveling from Kabul to New Delhi, the official said in response to a question.

The first flight on Monday carried 60 tonnes of medicinal plants. The second flight will carry 40 tonnes of dried fruits from southern Kandahar province.

During the inaugural ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Ghani underlined the importance of the project. Top government officials, the Indian ambassador, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce (ACCI) representatives and some businessmen were in attendance.

Ghani said the corridor was aimed to create more opportunities and make Afghanistan an exporter. As long as Afghanistan was not transformed into an exporter, people’s poverty could not be mitigated, the president believed.

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