KABUL, Jul 14 (NNN-BNA) – The trade value between Afghanistan and Pakistan amounted to nearly one billion U.S. dollars, in the first half of this year, local media outlet, TOLOnews, reported late Saturday.
“Afghanistan’s trade with Pakistan totalled 989 million U.S. dollars during this period, with exports valued at 277 million dollars and imports at 712 million dollars,” said Akhundzada Abdul Salam, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, as quoted by TOLOnews.
According to Akhundzada, Afghanistan’s top imports from Pakistan include medical drugs, parboiled rice, sugar, cotton textiles, and raw materials, for local factories. Key Afghan exports to Pakistan consist of cotton, coal, onions, tomatoes, raisins, beans, and talc.
Despite the ongoing closure of the Ghulam Khan border crossing, Afghan exports to Pakistan have increased, compared to the same period last year, officials confirmed.
Khan Jan Alokozai, a board member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, noted that, current exports, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, are being transported through the Chaman, Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Dand Patan border crossings. Many of these crossings had been closed during the peak fruit season last year, the source added.– NNN-BNA
