Government constructs export zones in 6 provinces: Mullah Beradar

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has decreed the construction of export zones in six provinces of the country, an official said on Thursday.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said this while addressing the National Export Day gathering organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He assured all exporting companies in the country that Afghanistan’s export volume would be increased and all products would be exported outside the country in line with the country’s export standards.

He said in line with the order of the IEA leadership export zones would be built in six provinces of the country, the land transfer and ownership procedures of these zones had been completed.

Without going into details he said currently goods were exported from 13 provinces of the country and added efforts were underway to find potential and alternative markets for Afghanistan’s export goods in the region and the world.

He asked all exporters to make sure their exports met international standards keeping in mind the honor and status of the country.

He also asked national traders to export goods instead of raw materials.

Acting Commerce and Industry Minister said May 9 has been approved as the National Export Day through a decision of the Cabinet to promote exports and provide all-round support to exporters.

Deputy Commerce Minister Mawlavi Ahmadullah Zahid said a country could become self-sufficient when it has balance trade.

He said Afghanistan’s trade is an unbalanced trade 79 percent of which is import and 21 percent is export.

Mohammad Younis Mohmmand, first assistant head of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment called on the international community to cooperate with Afghanistan in the transfer of cash.

He said due to dual polices of some neighboring countries there was decline in export and asked these countries to form their polices in line with the principles of neighborhood.

At the end of the gathering a private Afghan company signed agreement worth $25 million with a Chinese company on the bases of which 10,000 tonnes of cotton would be exported to China.

During the gathering 58 businessmen were appreciated for the tremendous export.

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