Trade between Afghanistan and Tajikistan has reached $30mn over the past seven months, Tolonews reported citing the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry, revealed that Afghanistan exported goods worth $8mn to Tajikistan, while imports from Tajikistan totaled $22mn.
"The trade between Afghanistan and Tajikistan in the first seven months of 2024 was approximately $30mn, of which $8mn was exports and $22mn was imports," Jawad stated.
The primary exports from Afghanistan include tomatoes, cucumbers, black cumin, potatoes, apples, almonds, and pomegranates. Tajikistan's main exports to Afghanistan consist of cement, eggs, high-speed vehicles, sunflower oil, petrol, and car parts.
The Tajik government has decided to extend its railway to the Afghan border. This move is expected to enhance commercial and transit cooperation between the two nations. The Chamber of Industries and Mines highlighted the potential for economic growth if the railway connection is established.
Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, first deputy of the Chamber of Industries and Mines, emphasized the benefits of increased trade with Tajikistan.
"Since Tajikistan is a neighboring and bordering country of Afghanistan, we can increase our trade development with it. Especially Afghan industrial goods have a good market in Tajikistan, and transit routes via railways from Afghanistan to Tajikistan and Pakistan are beneficial for both Tajikistan and Afghanistan," Paiman remarked.
Economic experts consider Afghanistan's strategic position crucial for developing trade and transit with neighboring and regional countries.
"Afghanistan is one of the countries with a sensitive geoeconomic position, which is very valuable for neighboring, regional, and even global countries. Therefore, if neighboring and global policymakers think in favor of Afghanistan's economy, the results can be positive and beneficial," Abdul Zahoor Madbar, an economic expert, noted.
Earlier it was reported that the new railway extension to the Afghan border will cover 51 kilometers. Once finished, it will provide Tajikistan with access to markets in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The $4mn project is expected to be completed within three years.
The construction of this railway is part of a broader initiative called "TAT," which aims to connect Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan with other Central Asian countries through an extensive railway network.
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