1st consignment of pine nuts flown to China

KABUL (Pajhwok): After the fall of the previous administration, the first shipment of 45 tonnes of pine nuts has been dispatched to China via the air corridor.

Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) deputy head Younis Momand made the announcement at a press conference at the Kabul airport on Sunday.

He expressed happiness over the start of exports through the air corridor, urging the government to prevent the smuggle of pine nuts.

Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, who inaugurated the air corridor in the presence of other government officials, said: “China is our neighbour and friend that has always cooperated with us.”

He called for continued Chinese cooperation with Afghanistan in multiple areas.

Referring to the improvement of the security and economic situation, Hanafi said: “The overall environment in the country is improving, do not leave Afghanistan. No one is on the black list of Islamic Emirate.”

“Maulvi Haibatullah (the Taliban supreme leader) is in Afghanistan and has spoken to the people and this is true,” he added.

Two major economic meetings would be held in the next two weeks in Herat and Faryab provinces, Hanafi informed.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, stressed improved political, security and economic conditions in the country.

Food prices and raw material would be significantly reduced in the near future, the deputy premier promised.

sa/mud