Trade via Spin Boldak-Chaman port declines by 50pc

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Traders in southern Kandahar province say business via Spin Boldak-Chaman route has declined by 50 percent due to some problems.

They say besides customs duty, the Kandahar Department of Transport also collects money from truckers under different excuses. In addition to that, delay in shipments and scheduling shifts are other problems traders are faced with.

Haji Salahuddin, a trader from Spin Boldak town in Kandahar, told Pajhwok Afghan News that many traders had stopped their business through Spin Boldak-Chaman route and used Ghulam Khan port as an alternative.

“Customs duty from one side and new charges by the Transport Department from another side has increased troubles for traders, in addition to that, they now schedule cargo trucks movement based on turns and traders cannot transport their goods to provinces voluntarily,” he said.

He also complained about transport charges on goods and said that previously they paid 25 to 30 afghanis for the transport of a single good but now the rate had been increased to 60 afghanis.

He said that transport charges increased after trucks were forced to follow shift based movements. Considering these problems, trade on this route has dropped by 50 percent and it may totally collapse if the situation did not change, he said.

Salahuddin said that considering the mentioned problems, the prices of goods had also increased.

Another trader, Haji Gul Mohammad, complained of similar problems, saying that trade had recently declined in ten southern provinces, including Kandahar, and that most goods were now imported through other ports instead of Spin Boldak port.

He said that they in the past were charged two USD for transfer of $100,000 abroad, but now they are charged $3,500 for the same amount, which he said was another problem they are faced with.

He asked the government to reduce customs duties, stop extra charges on traders and provide facilities in transportation area so it would help traders return to their business and reduce rates.

Officials of Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry say trade via Spin Boldak-Chaman route is hampered by problems, mostly from the Pakistani side, and these problems have recently increased.

Eng. Abdul BaqiBina, deputy head of Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Pajhwok that problems at telegraphic transfer of funds increased after the new government was established as foreign companies would not ship goods to Afghanistan if they do not receive their money.

Another problem is empty containers of foreign companies which remain in Afghanistan for several days that obligate the companies to avoid sending their containers again, he said.

Bina said that most of these problems were created by Pakistan and they had talked with Pakistani officials to remove obstacles to traders.

"We talked to the Pakistani consul three days ago and told them that the Spin Boldak route should not be blocked for exports and imports under any circumstances. Politics should be kept aside from trade…,” he said.

Kandahar Customs Director Jarullah Agha also said that trade on the Spin Boldak-Chaman route had declined due to problems created by Pakistan.

He said that besides problems by Pakistan, there were also some issues in Kandahar which they are working to resolve.

"Pakistan wants to reduce trade on Spin Boldak route because there is a large ethnic group living on both sides. Pakistan wants to increase trade in areas where people are under its influence, not in areas where high number of people from an ethnic group lives which Pakistan deems as a trouble,” he said.

Agha said some problems created by the Transport Department or relevant organs had been due to employment of new people who were unfamiliar with their new responsibilities, but these problems have recently been resolved.

He said they are talking with Pakistani officials to resolve problems created by them and a decision was recently made to open Spin Boldak-Chaman port 24 hours instead of 10 hours a day in the next 10 days.

Pajhwok tried to seek comments of the Transport Department of Kandahar, but was unable as director of the department was recently fired and there was no one else to appear for an interview.

mds/ma