$9m contracts for fruit, saffron inked at Dubai exhibition

KABUL and Livestock said on Saturday.

Afghanistan performed extra-ordinarily at the Dubai agriculture show, where more than nine billion contracts were signed for dry fruits, including $1.2 million for purchase of Afghan saffron by Saudi traders.

A statement from the ministry quoted an official, Akbar Rustami, as saying that Afghanistan was able to secure contracts worth more than nine million dollars and there was a possibility the demand for dry fruits and agriculture might increase.

According to the ministry, expansion in the cultivation of saffron and an increase in its production had significantly improved. Marketing for saffron at the global exhibitions could boost the export of what is known as red gold.

The statement added that Afghanistan had been regularly taking part in the Dubai exhibition since 2011 with the help of USAID.

nh/mud