Afghan Transit Trade Struggles as Delegation Seeks Opportunities in Iran
While
an Afghan delegation led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi pursues talks in
Turkmenistan, another delegation of Afghan businessmen seeks trade and transit
solutions in Iran, specifically through Iran's Chabahar port. This situation
highlights the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan's struggling trade
sector.
Recent
developments raise concerns about the viability of Pakistan as a key transit
route for Afghanistan. According to Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Coordinator for Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Industry and Trade, Pakistan's
restrictive policies have resulted in a 70% decline in Afghan trade through the
country. This has caused significant unemployment, impacting nearly 20,000
families in Pakistan.
Khan
Jan Al-Kuzi, the Afghan deputy chief, further clarifies that the imposition of
a 10% tax on Afghan imports in October and the addition of items to the
negative list by Pakistan have forced Afghan businesses to explore alternative
routes. This shift reflects a growing preference for other countries,
potentially offering smoother trade facilitation.
This
news underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Afghanistan's trade sector and
the need for exploring various opportunities to ensure its growth and
stability. While dialogue with Turkmenistan continues, the focus on potential
solutions in Iran highlights potential shifts in trade dynamics for
Afghanistan.
#Afghanistan
#Trade #Transit #Pakistan #Iran #Chabahar
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